An interstellar comet that originated outside our solar system has just made its closest pass to the sun, brightening dramatically and rapidly as it did so. The reason for the sudden extreme activity is currently puzzling scientists.

Spacecraft have revealed that the comet—which one scientist suggests could be an alien spacecraft—is now "distinctly bluer than the Sun."

As 3I/Atlas neared its closest point to the sun in its orbit, the internet was abuzz with curiosity about the comet.

Astronomers have identified Comet 3I/ATLAS as an interstellar object, making it only the third confirmed visitor from outside our solar system, according to NASA.<br /><br />The comet is travelling on a hyperbolic trajectory,

The comet could be older than our solar system. The comet is also distinct because nickel vapor was detected in the gas surrounding it.

Does a video clip show a timelapse of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, captured by the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii, released on July 15, 2025, by NSF's NOIRLab and the University of Hawaii? No, that's not true: The authentic image

NASA has announced that the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will approach Earth on October 29, 2025, marking its closest encounter at approximately 167 million miles away.