A rare comet is passing by our planet today. The date is December 19, 2025. The comet is named 3I/ATLAS. This is a special event for astronomers.
This comet is not from our solar system. It came from deep space between stars. After today, it will travel away forever. It will not come back to Earth again.
What Happened During the Closest Approach
The comet reached its closest point to Earth today. This was its nearest approach to our planet.
It passed at a distance of 168 million miles. That is about 270 million kilometers. That sounds very far away. But in space, this is considered a close pass.
The comet was first discovered on July 1, 2025. It was spotted by a telescope system called ATLAS. This telescope is in Chile.
Scientists have tracked its path carefully. They found out it came from outside our solar system. This makes it an interstellar visitor.
In recent days, the comet grew slightly brighter. This happened as it moved closer to the Sun and Earth. Today is likely its brightest moment for us.
Starting tomorrow, it will begin to fade. It will move away from the Sun and back into deep space. Some people online wondered what it was. Experts confirm it is definitely a comet.
It is made of ice, dust, and rock. This is the same material as comets from our own solar system.
Why This Comet Is Important and How to See It
You cannot see Comet 3I/ATLAS with your eyes alone. It is too faint. But you can still watch this historic event.
Several astronomy groups are offering free live streams online. You can find these webcasts to watch the comet. This lets everyone join in from home.
For scientists, this comet is very valuable. It is a piece of another star system. Studying it teaches us about space outside our Sun’s influence.
It provides clues about how planets and comets form in other parts of the galaxy. Researchers will keep studying it. They will look at its brightness, shape, and path.
The data from today’s close pass will help future space science. Today is the last chance to see it up close. After this, comet 3I/ATLAS will journey back into the darkness of interstellar space.