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After making its closest approach to Earth on December 19, when it came within about 168 million miles, or 270 million km, 3I/ATLAS began its long departure towards the outer solar system.(Image: NASA)

Tail of Comet 3I/ATLAS points wrong way, has strange wobbling jets

December 26, 2025 12:13 pm

Astronomers observing the visiting comet have detected shifting jet structures inside an unusual anti-tail, offering fresh insight into material formed beyond our solar system.

Halley's comet over 18th century Europe. ( Reimagined with AI)

What comets and asteroids reveal about life, death and the unknown

December 19, 2025 1:13 pm

Life on Earth may have begun with a gift from a comet. Its existence was once threatened by an asteroid. Its future may depend on understanding both.

NASA scientist says Star of Bethlehem may have been a comet which flew close

December 26, 2025 1:22 pm

Mark Matney’s fresh hypothesis suggests that the Star of Bethlehem may have been a bright comet that briefly appeared to stand still in the sky.

According to the team’s findings, hydrogen cyanide is emerging close to the comet’s rocky nucleus, at rates between 250 and 500 gram per second.(Image for representation: Unsplash)

Comet 3I/ATLAS, from beyond the Solar System, found carrying key molecule linked to life

December 08, 2025 9:09 am

Scientists have detected unusually high levels of methanol in interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS.

Scientists are still unsure why, although some believe it may reflect a lack of carbon-bearing molecules in the comet’s coma, the surrounding cloud of ice, dust, and gas. (Image: virtual Telescope)

Fragmenting comet C/2025 K1 to make its closest approach to Earth this month

November 15, 2025 2:49 pm

For sky-watchers hoping to spot what remains, the fragments of C/2025 K1 are currently visible in the constellation Leo at a magnitude of 9.9.

Since its discovery in July, 3I/ATLAS has fascinated researchers as a confirmed interstellar object, likely originating from a distant, unidentified stellar system in the Milky Way. (Image: NASA)

Comet 3I/ATLAS lights up the sky with carbon glow, and a 'missing' tail

November 09, 2025 3:10 pm

Having just passed perihelion — its closest approach to the sun — comet 3I/ATLAS has re-emerged from behind the sun, offering astronomers a rare glimpse of its unusual composition and structure.

C2025/K1 (ATLAS) will be closest to the Earth on November 25.

Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) defies odds, glows golden after close encounter with the Sun

November 08, 2025 8:52 am

C/2025 K1 (ATLAS), a comet that was believed to disintegrate because of its closeness to the Sun, has surprised astronomers by surviving and changing its colour from green to a rare golden hue.

Unprecedented brightening of interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS reported in new research

November 01, 2025 1:48 pm

The finding is significant because the internal composition of 3I/ATLAS could suggest that the planetary system from which it originates has a unique chemical makeup.

According to Nasa, this is a comet. It will stay at least 1.6 astronomical units away from Earth and is not a threat. About 150 million miles separate them. (Image: Nasa Science)

Comet 3I/ATLAS to reach closest point to the Sun today; NASA to monitor peak outgassing activity

October 31, 2025 9:41 am

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will reach perihelion on October 30, triggering its brightest and most active phase as NASA and global missions track its rare solar encounter.