An interstellar visitor appears

A mysterious comet from another star system just entered our solar system. Want to see it up close? → A mysterious comet from another star system just entered our solar system. Want to see it up close? →

Not from around here

[{"selector":"#anim-9006cdfd-71ac-4b04-93aa-59f2f06bb6cd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] 3I/ATLAS isn’t a regular comet — its path shows it came from another star. Curious why that matters? 3I/ATLAS isn’t a regular comet — its path shows it came from another star. Curious why that matters?

A tiny frozen core

[{"selector":"#anim-df8d4c38-40dd-4e8e-9743-2ee31e61b7fe [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] At its heart: a dark, rocky-icy nucleus the size of a city. Imagine that racing through space. At its heart: a dark, rocky-icy nucleus the size of a city. Imagine that racing through space.

A glowing halo of gas

[{"selector":"#anim-e290869a-3a8b-46db-870d-7061c997337e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Heat from the Sun makes a dusty, glowing coma — a ghostly atmosphere around the nucleus. Swipe to see the color. Heat from the Sun makes a dusty, glowing coma — a ghostly atmosphere around the nucleus. Swipe to see the color.

Two very different tails

[{"selector":"#anim-bcb4fd40-71ea-40c0-b026-d47801e98df6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Look — a blue ion tail and a warmer dust tail pulling in different directions. Stunning split! Look — a blue ion tail and a warmer dust tail pulling in different directions. Stunning split!

Speed demon on a one-time visit

[{"selector":"#anim-189a8608-75e7-4a00-98ed-fea9d173a7ac [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] 3I/ATLAS is moving so fast it won’t return — a one-shot cosmic sight. Tap to learn its speed. 3I/ATLAS is moving so fast it won’t return — a one-shot cosmic sight. Tap to learn its speed.

A relic from another star

[{"selector":"#anim-bab9c2ff-1634-41af-abf5-ea2de2478ac7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Comets like this carry materials from other systems — clues about distant planets and formation. Excited? Comets like this carry materials from other systems — clues about distant planets and formation. Excited?

Telescopes turned their eyes

[{"selector":"#anim-98efa9e0-0396-4f07-a1b9-7c7fffb8a68e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] From backyard scopes to giant observatories — we tracked 3I/ATLAS across the sky. See the view. From backyard scopes to giant observatories — we tracked 3I/ATLAS across the sky. See the view.

Myth busters: comet edition

[{"selector":"#anim-438fbe57-8499-42d3-bb64-a5228e8b3443 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(2.3809523995277644%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] No, it won’t hit Earth or end life — it’s a beautiful, harmless visitor. Want the facts? No, it won’t hit Earth or end life — it’s a beautiful, harmless visitor. Want the facts?

Watch it while you can

[{"selector":"#anim-8988a4ac-295c-43dd-9c5d-13ae077d9318 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(2.3809523995277644%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] This interstellar wanderer won’t come back. Follow updates and images — swipe up to track 3I/ATLAS in real time. This interstellar wanderer won’t come back. Follow updates and images — swipe up to track 3I/ATLAS in real time.