EXPLAINERFeatures|SpaceAre internet rumours of a comet hurtling towards Earth true?Space agencies say the comet, 3I/ATLAS, poses no danger, despite viral conspiracy claims.
## Comet 3I/ATLAS: Observations and Facts
Comet 3I/ATLAS: Observations and Facts
The comet 3I/ATLAS was detected by NASA's ATLAS telescope on July 1, 2025. It is characterized by a teardrop-shaped cocoon of dust surrounding its solid, icy nucleus. NASA has confirmed that this comet poses no threat to Earth. The closest it came to Earth was approximately 270 million kilometers (167.8 million miles) on July 21, 2025.
The European Space Agency (ESA) also confirmed that the comet poses no threat to Earth or any other planet. Its nearest distance to Earth was recorded to be more than 2.5 times the distance between Earth and the Sun.
On October 30, 2025, the comet will reach its closest approach to the Sun, about 210 million kilometers (130.5 million miles) away, just inside Mars' orbit. According to the Hubble Space Telescope, it is traveling at a speed of approximately 210,000 kilometers per hour (130,500 miles per hour), making it the fastest speed recorded for an interstellar object visiting our solar system.
The comet 3I/ATLAS was detected by NASA's ATLAS telescope on July 1, 2025.
NASA describes this event as a rare opportunity for scientists to study an interstellar comet as it passes through the solar system. Hubble's observations allow astronomers to estimate the size of the comet's nucleus, with current estimates indicating a diameter of up to 3.5 miles (5.6 km), though it may be as small as 440 meters (1,444 feet).
There is no evidence supporting claims that 3I/ATLAS is a spacecraft or poses any danger to Earth.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.