Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS to Approach Earth Closest on Dec. 19
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is set to make its closest approach to Earth on December 19, marking a significant milestone for this extraordinary celestial object. Discovered on July 1 by NASA-funded ATLAS telescopes located in Chile, 3I/ATLAS is the third confirmed interstellar object known to have traversed our solar system.
Key Facts About Comet 3I/ATLAS
- Closest Approach Date: December 19
- Distance from Earth: Approximately 1.8 astronomical units (about 168 million miles or 270 million kilometers)
- Previous Interstellar Visitors:
- 1I/’Oumuamua (2017)
- 2I/Borisov (2019)
- Discovered: July 1
- Origin: From beyond our solar system, heading back into interstellar space
Scientific Significance
While 3I/ATLAS will maintain a safe distance from Earth, its flyby presents an invaluable opportunity for research. Astronomers aim to study the dust and gases emitted from the comet’s nucleus as it receives solar heat, providing insights into comet formation and the characteristics of planetary material found around other stars.
Observational Opportunities
In the lead-up to this event, various space agencies and observatories have shifted their focus to this unique visitor. Recently, new images from the Hubble Space Telescope and the JUICE Jupiter probe have illustrated the comet’s journey through the inner solar system.
For those interested in witnessing the approach, Gianluca Masi will host a free livestream through the Virtual Telescope Project. The broadcasting will start at 11 p.m. EST on December 18 (0400 GMT on December 19), weather permitting.
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