3I/ATLAS

The Third Interstellar Visitor

Current Status: Outbound

Key Data

Discovery

July 1, 2025

ATLAS Telescope, Chile

Origin

Interstellar

Likely Sagittarius / Galactic Center

Velocity

68 km/s

At Perihelion (Max Speed)

Composition

Anomalous

High CO2/Water ratio, Nickel vapor

Trajectory & Timeline

July 1, 2025 Discovery by ATLAS
Oct 3, 2025 Mars Flyby (0.194 AU)
Oct 29, 2025 Perihelion (Closest to Sun)
Dec 19, 2025 Earth Flyby (1.798 AU)
Mar 16, 2026 Jupiter Flyby

Theories & Speculation

The "Oldest Comet" Hypothesis

Trajectory analysis suggests 3I/ATLAS may originate from the Milky Way's thick disk, making it potentially 7 billion years old—older than our own Solar System. It offers a pristine sample of the galaxy's ancient chemistry.

Artificial Origin?

While mainstream consensus points to a natural origin, the object's unusual non-gravitational acceleration and chemical composition (rich in Nickel/CO2) have reignited debates similar to those surrounding 'Oumuamua. Some researchers argue we cannot rule out an artificial probe, though evidence remains circumstantial.