Hubble Telescope Reveals New Insights on Comet 3I/ATLAS

The Hubble Space Telescope has provided vital insights into the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, as it nears Earth this December. The comet, which is traveling at an impressive speed of 137,000 miles per hour, has generated significant interest from both scientists and the public since it was first detected.

Understanding Comet 3I/ATLAS

3I/ATLAS gained recognition in July 2025 when it was confirmed as the third object identified to originate outside Earth’s solar system. This comet has been on an extensive journey from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius and is currently on a hyperbolic orbit that will eventually take it beyond our solar system.

Hubble’s Latest Observations

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope made its most recent observations on November 30, 2025. At that time, the comet was approximately 178 million miles away from Earth. Stars appeared as streaks in Hubble’s imagery due to the comet’s rapid movement across the sky.

• First observed in July 2025.
• Latest observation on November 30, 2025.
• Distance from Earth during the latest observation: 178 million miles.

The telescope initially recorded the comet’s size, estimating its icy nucleus to be between 1,400 feet and 3.5 miles in width. This data is crucial for understanding the comet’s structure.

European Space Agency’s Involvement

The European Space Agency (ESA) also contributed to monitoring 3I/ATLAS. The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) orbiter captured images of the comet between November 2 and 25, 2025, when it was notably active after its close approach to the sun on October 30. Initial observations indicated a glowing halo of gas and two distinct tails—one of charged gas and another of dust particles.

Scientists expect to receive the full set of observations from Juice by February 2026, as the spacecraft moves towards Jupiter, arriving there by 2031.

Visible from Earth

Comet 3I/ATLAS is projected to pass about 170 million miles from Earth on December 19, 2025. Although it will not be visible to the naked eye, stargazers with telescopes can observe the comet in the pre-dawn sky until spring 2026.

Addressing Alien Conspiracy Theories

The captivating nature of 3I/ATLAS has led to various conspiracy theories, including assertions that it could be an alien spacecraft. Notably, astrophysicist Avi Loeb suggested it could be extraterrestrial technology, though he acknowledged its likely natural origin.

NASA officials, including Acting Administrator Sean Duffy, have dismissed these theories, reassuring the public that there is no evidence of extraterrestrial life associated with 3I/ATLAS. They emphasize that it is simply a comet.

As 3I/ATLAS continues its journey, its observations provide vital data that enhance our understanding of interstellar objects and their impact on our solar system.