Comet 3I/ATLAS Live Tracker: Astronomers have identified Comet 3I/ATLAS as an interstellar object, making it only the third confirmed visitor from outside our solar system, according to NASA.
The comet is travelling on a hyperbolic trajectory, which means it is not gravitationally bound to our Sun and will eventually exit our solar system permanently. It is scheduled to make its closest pass to the Sun (perihelion) today, on October 29, at a distance of approximately 1.36 astronomical units, or over 200 million kilometres.
Following its pass by the Sun, Comet 3I/ATLAS is anticipated to become visible again around November 11 in the eastern sky before dawn. However, observation will require large telescopes, as it will not be bright enough to be seen with the naked eye.
3I/ATLAS is expected to make its closest approach to the Sun (perihelion) at approximately 11:47 UT, at a distance of 1.36 AU.
