• NASA has discovered the interstellar comet named 3I/ATLAS, located about 420 million miles from Earth.
• The comet is traveling at approximately 37 miles per second and poses no threat to our planet.
• 3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to the Sun in late October, safely passing between the orbits of Mars and Earth.
• This is only the third known interstellar object to enter our solar system, following 'Oumuamua and Comet Borisov.
• Ground-based telescopes can observe the comet until September, with renewed visibility anticipated in December.

NASA recently confirmed the discovery of a new interstellar comet named 3I/ATLAS, detected using the ATLAS telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile. The comet is approximately 420 million miles (670 million kilometers) from Earth and is traveling at a swift speed of around 37 miles per second, having ventured from a region beyond our solar system, according to NPR, CBS News, The Jakarta Post, and India Times.

This comet is officially the third known interstellar object to visit our solar system. NASA confirmed that it poses no threat to Earth, with its closest approach to the Sun occurring in late October, when it will safely pass within 150 million miles (240 million kilometers) of Mars, according to CBS News and The Jakarta Post.

Astronomers have recorded over 100 observations of the comet since its detection, noting its faint coma, which may become more pronounced as it approaches the Sun. Preliminary estimates suggest that 3I/ATLAS is possibly 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) in diameter, making it larger than the previously observed interstellar objects, according to NPR, CBS News, and India Times.

As 3I/ATLAS approaches the Sun, it will move between the orbits of Mars and Earth, becoming more visible through ground-based telescopes until September. Afterward, the comet will pass too close to the Sun for observations, with hopes for renewed visibility in December as it re-emerges on the other side, according to The Jakarta Post and India Times.