New photos from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) show comet 3I/ATLAS glowing with activity. The comet is preparing for a close flyby of Earth in December 2025. The images reveal a beautiful, active visitor from deep space.
Scientists say there is no reason for concern. However, the event is very rare. Comets from outside our solar system almost never pass by our planet.
A Visitor From Very Far Away
Comet 3I/ATLAS was first discovered in July 2025. Scientists quickly realized it was not a normal comet from our solar system. It came from interstellar space. This makes it only the third such object ever detected.
It has been traveling through the galaxy for millions or billions of years. It entered our solar system from the direction of the Sagittarius constellation. Like previous interstellar visitors, it will not stay. It is on a one-way path. It will swing near Earth and then leave forever.
Hubble Telescope’s New Image
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope captured the comet on November 30, 2025. At that time, the comet was about 178 million miles away. In the image, the stars behind the comet appear as long streaks. This is because Hubble was tracking the comet’s movement.
Researchers believe the comet’s solid core is quite small. However, the cloud of gas and dust around it makes it appear much larger and brighter.
ESA’s Juice Spacecraft Also Spots Activity
ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) spacecraft also observed the comet. Juice is on a mission to study Jupiter’s moons. It took a picture when the comet was most active. This was just after the comet’s closest approach to the sun.
Only a portion of the image has been transmitted to Earth so far. Even this partial image shows a bright cloud around the comet. It also reveals two distinct tails. One tail is made of gas, the other of dust. This activity confirms the sun’s heat is warming the comet. This causes it to release material.
How Close Will It Come?
The comet will make its closest approach to Earth on December 19, 2025. It will remain at a safe distance of about 170 million miles. It will not be visible to the naked eye. However, amateur astronomers with telescopes may spot it. It will be visible in the early morning sky through spring 2026.
NASA Addresses Online Rumors
Some rumors online have suggested the comet could be unusual. A few speculated it might even be an alien spacecraft. NASA has addressed these claims directly. The agency states all evidence confirms it is a natural comet. Its behavior is exactly what scientists expect.
For researchers, this is a special opportunity. They get to study a rare visitor from another star system. Such chances do not come often.
