NASA discovers the existence of an interstellar object in our Solar System; learn more (Photo: Filipp Romanov)
On Wednesday, July 2, NASA confirmed the discovery of an interstellar object passing through our Solar System.
The visitor, designated 3I/Atlas by the Minor Planet Center of the International Astronomical Union, was classified as a comet and is likely the largest ever detected.
“The fact that we see some imprecision suggests that it is mainly ice and not rock,” said Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, to AFP.
This is only the third interstellar object ever spotted, although scientists suspect that many others may go unnoticed. According to them, 3I/Atlas is moving at a speed of 60 km per second.
Fortunately, the object, previously known as A11pl3Z before its interstellar origin was discovered, poses no threat to Earth, assured Richard Moissl, head of planetary defense at the European Space Agency.
It is estimated that the object is currently between 10 and 20 kilometers wide, Moissl explained, which would make it the largest interstellar intruder ever detected.
However, if it is made of ice, it could appear larger than it really is because the light would be reflected off its shiny surface.
“It will get brighter and closer to the Sun by the end of October and will still be visible (through telescopes) until next year,” added Moissl.
🚨BREAKING: NASA confirms that a mysterious object passing through the solar system is an “interstellar visitor”. The object is rapidly approaching us https://t.co/6Ws09RtUiI pic.twitter.com/E3LP5407qU
— Astronomiaum (@astronomiaum) July 3, 2025
Photos: Filipp Romanov / X @astronomiaum. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
