The astronomer utilizing ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (VLT) has unveiled a new image of 3i/Atlas, marking it as the third interstellar object documented.
This VLT/FORS2 image, captured on July 3, 2025, depicts interstellar comet 3i/Atlas. Image credit: ESO/O. Hainaut.
3i/Atlas was identified a week ago by the NASA-supported Atlas Survey Telescope in Riojartad, Chile.
Commonly referred to as C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) and A11PL3Z, this comet is approaching from the direction of Sagittarius.
“In contrast to objects within the solar system, its highly eccentric hyperbolic orbit indicates its interstellar origin,” ESO astronomers stated.
Currently, 3i/Atlas is approximately 4.5 AU (670 million km, or 416 million miles) away from the Sun.
Interstellar objects pose no danger to Earth, maintaining a distance of at least 1.6 AU (240 million km, or 150 million miles).
Around October 30, 2025, it will make its closest approach to the Sun at a distance of 1.4 AU (210 million km, or 130 million miles).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixj221xxpvm
“In the VLT time-lapse, you can observe 3i/Atlas moving to the right over approximately 13 minutes,” the astronomer remarked.
“These observations were gathered using FORS2 equipment at the VLT on the night of July 3, 2025, just two days post-discovery of the comet.”
“At the conclusion of the video, all frames are compiled into a single image.
“However, this record will not endure as the comet approaches Earth and becomes less visible.”
“As it currently traverses more than 600 million km from the Sun, 3i/Atlas is heading towards the inner solar system, expected to reach its closest approach to Earth in October 2025,” they noted.
“During that time, 3i/Atlas will be obscured by the Sun, but observations should resume in December 2025.
“Telescopes globally, including the VLT, will persist in monitoring this extraordinary celestial visitor to gather more insights into its structure, composition, and origin.”
Source: www.sci.news
