When can you see comet 3I/ATLAS pass close to Earth? Dates, trajectory, and how to observe it in December
This is the third time an object from outside our solar system has been discovered.
Astronomy enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity on Friday, December 19, when comet 3I/ATLAS makes its closest approach to Earth. According to NASA, this comet is “the third object from beyond our solar system that has been identified to date.”
What is a comet?
Comets are celestial bodies made up of ice, rock, and dust, and they typically range in size from a tens of feet to several miles in length. In the case of 3I/ATLAS, scientists estimate its diameter to be between 6 to 19 miles (10 and 30 km).
Spain’s Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities estimates that the comet will exceed speeds of over 152,000 mph (245,000 kmph), which is about 42 miles per second (68 km/sec).
Because of these extremely high speeds, observers on Earth can see the trail the comet leaves as it travels through space. In fact, the word “comet” comes from the Greek kometes, meaning “hairy star.”
The comet was discovered on July 1 while traveling through Jupiter’s orbital region. This Friday, it will be approximately 153.5 million miles (274 million km) from Earth, nearly twice the distance between Earth and the Sun. Despite this vast distance, it will be the closest the comet comes to our planet, making this the best moment to observe it.
This observation is particularly important for scientists, as it allows them to study differences between our solar system and others, especially in terms of composition. In addition, data gathered from 3I/ATLAS is helping researchers develop strategies to mitigate the risk of a potential catastrophic impact in the future.
How to see comet 3I/ATLAS
The comet is once again be visible from Earth after passing behind the Sun in October of this year. “3I/ATLAS can be observed in the pre-dawn sky, even with a small telescope, and it will remain observable until the spring of 2026 in the Northern Hemisphere,” NASA reports.
As a result, any astronomy enthusiast willing to wake up a bit early will be able to enjoy this remarkable celestial event.
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