3I/ATLAS Live Tracker: Where Is the Interstellar 3I/ATLAS Visitor Now and How Far Is It from Earth?

The mysterious interstellar object 3I/ATLAS has continued to puzzle scientists worldwide. After its recent close encounter with the Sun, it began showing unusual behaviour — including sudden changes in speed, brightness, and even colour. Researchers are now racing to understand what this strange visitor really is before it disappears from view forever.

3I/ATLAS Speeds Up Near the Sun

According to NASA’s latest data, 3I/ATLAS suddenly accelerated near the Sun, reaching a speed of 244,620 km/h. While some scientists believe the Sun’s gravitational pull caused this speed surge, others argue that this explanation doesn’t fully match the observed trajectory. The object even appeared to move away from the Sun, which has deepened the mystery.

China Releases New Image from Mars

In a new development, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) has released an image of 3I/ATLAS captured by the Tianwen-1 Mars Orbiter on October 3, 2025. At that time, the interstellar object was about 28.96 million kilometres away from the orbiter. The image was taken using the High-Resolution Imaging Camera (HiRIC) and offers another look at this rare cosmic visitor.

Scientists Still Searching for the Comet’s Tail

A comet is typically identified by its tail — a long cloud of gas and dust that trails behind it. However, 3I/ATLAS has baffled astronomers by showing no visible tail. Observatories, including the R. Naves Observatory and the Virtual Telescope Project, have confirmed the absence of this feature. Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb has pointed out that the missing tail is a key anomaly and may indicate that 3I/ATLAS is not a traditional comet at all.

No Gas Cloud Around 3I/ATLAS

Loeb has also noted that, based on how much mass the object should have lost near the Sun, there ought to be a massive 5 billion-ton cloud of gas and dust surrounding it. But so far, no such cloud has been detected. Scientists are waiting for it to move farther from the Sun, hoping the visibility improves so they can confirm or dismiss this theory.

How to Track 3I/ATLAS Live

For those eager to spot the interstellar comet themselves, experts recommend using an online live tracker. The Sky Live Tracker offers real-time data showing the exact position of 3I/ATLAS relative to Earth. With clear skies and a telescope or powerful binoculars, sky watchers might be able to see this cosmic traveler before it vanishes into deep space once again.

The Mystery Deepens

From unexpected acceleration to the absence of a tail, 3I/ATLAS continues to challenge existing models of how comets behave. Scientists like Avi Loeb believe these findings could open the door to a new understanding of interstellar objects, possibly hinting that 3I/ATLAS is something beyond an ordinary comet — maybe even an artificial or exotic object.