• The Hubble Space Telescope has photographed interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, traveling at 130,000 mph.
• This comet is only the third known interstellar object observed, providing insights into distant star systems.
• Hubble’s observations suggest the comet possesses a size between 1,000 feet and 3.5 miles in diameter.
• The comet will be closest to the sun in late October, visible to telescopes through September.
• This discovery enhances understanding of how comets can form in various environments throughout the galaxy.

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has recently captured the clearest picture of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, which is zooming through our solar system at an astonishing speed of 130,000 mph. This comet was discovered on July 1, 2025, by the ATLAS sky survey and marks only the third confirmed interstellar object recorded, presenting a unique opportunity for scientists to analyze material originating from outside our solar system, according to latimes, cbsnews, and indiatimes.

The comet is on a hyperbolic trajectory that confirms its origin from another star system, potentially billions of years distant. Its icy core is estimated to measure between 1,000 feet (320 meters) and 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) across, with Hubble also revealing a dust plume and tail akin to typical solar system comets. This indicates that, despite its alien origin, 3I/ATLAS displays behaviors similar to comets formed within our own solar system, according to latimes and indiatimes.

The comet will make its closest approach to the Sun in late October, passing between the orbits of Mars and Earth while maintaining a safe distance. After September, it will become difficult to observe due to solar glare, but is expected to re-emerge for observation in early December 2025. This knowledge helps astronomers chart its behavior and composition, which can shed light on planetary evolution and the characteristics of extraterrestrial comets, as reported by cbsnews and indiatimes.

Dr. David Jewitt, the lead astronomer for the Hubble observations, emphasized the significance of this discovery, stating that it offers insights into the makeup of interstellar objects and their role in galactic evolution. With advanced telescopes like Hubble and JWST enhancing our observational capabilities, scientists can expect to gather crucial data from 3I/ATLAS's passage, which will help answer fundamental questions about planetary formation across different star systems, according to latimes, cbsnews, and indiatimes.