Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Passes Earth Safely

The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has safely passed by Earth without any problems, ending weeks of curiosity and speculation about the mysterious object.

Scientists reported that the comet came closest to Earth on Friday, at a distance of about 170 million miles. There was no danger to our planet, and experts have dismissed any rumors suggesting the comet could be an alien spacecraft.

The comet is now moving through the solar system and will have a close flyby near Jupiter on March 16, 2026, passing at about 33 million miles from the planet. NASA considers an object potentially hazardous only if it comes within 4.6 million miles, so 3I/ATLAS poses no threat.

After Jupiter, the comet is expected to pass near Neptune in 2028 and Pluto in April 2029, before leaving the solar system in the mid-2030s.

About Comet 3I/ATLAS

The comet was first discovered in July 2025 using the ATLAS telescope, funded by NASA. Scientists have been closely watching it because of its unusual behavior and confirmed status as an interstellar object.

3I/ATLAS is only the third interstellar visitor ever recorded, following 1I ‘Oumuamua in 2017 and another object discovered afterward.

Meanwhile, NASA also reported that its MAVEN spacecraft around Mars went offline on December 4, 2025, marking its first communication loss since 2014. NASA says this is unrelated to 3I/ATLAS and continues efforts to restore contact with the probe.

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