Explaining the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS
We are learning more tonight after NASA says they have discovered an interstellar comet that’s wandered into our own backyard. The quick-moving object was spotted by NASA with the ATLAS telescope in Chile over the summer. Ken Gayley is an astronomy professor at the University of Iowa. He joins LiveNOW’s Austin Westfall to answer questions about the online conspiracies that suggest 3I/ATLAS might be an artificial object or even a probe from another civilization.
The interstellar object 3I/ATLAS has piqued the curiosity of space enthusiasts and beyond, and NASA will be offering new images Wednesday of what’s believed to be a comet.
Here’s what to know about NASA’s live event:
NASA 3I/ATLAS livestream
Big picture view:
NASA is hosting a live event on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, beginning at 3 p.m. ET to share imagery of the object. Several experts will be on-hand to explain the imagery and also give more information about it.
How to watch:
The event will air on NASA+, the NASA app, the agency’s website and YouTube channel, and Amazon Prime.
What is the 3I/ATLAS comet?
Big picture view:
The object known as 3I/ATLAS was discovered this summer after it entered our solar system from elsewhere in the galaxy. It got its name because it is the third interstellar object known to have visited our solar system (3I), and because ATLAS was the telescope in Chile that discovered the object, according to Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb.
Local perspective:
The object had been visible by telescope through September, before it got too close to the sun, and is likely to reappear in December on the other side of the sun.
Hubble captured this image of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on July 21, 2025, when the comet was 277 million miles from Earth. Hubble shows that the comet has a teardrop-shaped cocoon of dust coming off its solid, icy nucleus. Image: NASA, ESA, Dav
Where is 3I/ATLAS?
Timeline:
The object was discovered on July 1, 2025, out near Jupiter. Scientists say it was discovered early during its journey through our solar system, giving experts ample time to watch and study the icy snowball.
Earlier in October, the comet approached Mars and came within 18 million miles of the red planet.
It made its closest approach to the sun in late October.
Throughout November, the European Space Agency’s Juice spacecraft, which is headed to Jupiter, will keep an eye on it.
And then in December, it will swing back and be at its closest to Earth — though still about 167 million miles away. 3I/ATLAS will be closest to Earth on Dec. 19.
RELATED: Mysterious interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has no tail: What 2 experts say
What is 3I/ATLAS?
What we know:
New images show a blob of light rather than the expected tail, raising questions about its composition and origin. But it’s believed to be a comet.
What we don’t know:
The exact nature of 3I/ATLAS remains unclear. Some scientists are speculating that it may even be a technological object, but further observations are needed to draw conclusions.
The Source: Information in this article was taken from NASA, a Space.com report, and from comments given by Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb. Background information was taken from The Associated Press and previous FOX Television Station reportings. This story was reported from Detroit.
Air and SpaceU.S.