Comet Borisov Misidentified as 3I/Atlas During Earth Flyby, Scientists Clarify

On November 11, 2025, a bright comet appeared near Earth. At first, many people thought it was the interstellar comet 3I/Atlas. But scientists have now confirmed that the comet was Comet Borisov.

The confusion happened because both Borisov and 3I/Atlas are interstellar comets. They come from outside our Solar System and look very similar. Each has a glowing cloud of gas and dust. Borisov’s speed and brightness made it hard to identify at first. Early social media posts added to the mix-up. Observatories checked the comet’s path and confirmed it was Borisov.

About Comet Borisov

Comet 2I/Borisov was discovered in 2019 by amateur astronomer Gennady Borisov in Crimea. It is the second known interstellar object after ‘Oumuamua in 2017.

Like other comets, Borisov is made of ice, dust, and rock. But it comes from another star system. Scientists say studying Borisov helps understand how other planetary systems form.

During the November 11 flyby, Borisov was millions of kilometers from Earth and posed no danger. Through telescopes, it looked like a small glowing dot with a tiny tail.

Borisov vs 3I/Atlas

Borisov and 3I/Atlas travel along different paths in space. 3I/Atlas has shown unusual changes in color and brightness. Borisov has been more stable since it was discovered. The confusion happened because they look alike and appeared around the same time.

Astronomers continue to study Borisov’s movement and brightness. Each interstellar comet gives scientists a chance to learn about material from other star systems. 3I/Atlas is also being monitored separately after its recent close pass by the Sun.

Comets like Borisov are rare. Seeing one pass near Earth gives scientists a special opportunity to study objects from beyond our Solar System. The event also shows how quickly scientists can confirm facts and clear misunderstandings.