Comet 3I/ATLAS rocketing through solar system at 61 km per second poses no threat to Earth: NASA
New Delhi – NASA says the fast‑moving Comet 3I/ATLAS, the third interstellar object spotted outside our solar system, will pass safely by Earth. The comet travels at a blistering 61 km per second (about 137,000 mph) as it speeds toward the Sun.
ATLAS—the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System—first spotted the comet in Rio Hurtado, Chile, on July 1, 2025. The object, named 3I/ATLAS because it is the third known interstellar comet (the “I” stands for interstellar), shot through our solar system at record speed but NASA confirms it poses no danger.
NASA’s analysis shows the comet will reach its closest point to the Sun around October 30, 2025, at a distance of roughly 210 million km—just inside Mars’ orbit. Even as its speed climbs near the Sun, the comet will stay far from Earth. Its nearest approach will be about 1.8 astronomical units (≈ 170 million miles or 270 million km).
“We’ve tracked the comet with Hubble, Webb, and SPHEREx and found no risk of collision,” says NASA. “It will swing past Jupiter in March 2026 and then head back out of our solar system.”
Astronomers continue to monitor 3I/ATLAS, but all evidence indicates the interstellar comet will remain safely distant from Earth.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
