Information on the Interstellar Asteroid 3I/ATLAS: Its Discovery, Composition, and Trajectory
In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have identified 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar object that is estimated to be approximately 20 kilometers in size, moving at a speed of approximately 61 km per second towards the sun from the direction of Sagittarius[1]. This makes it the third interstellar object observed in the universe, following 1I/ʻOumuamua and 2I/Borisov.
The discovery was made by the Asteroid Terrestrial Impact Alert System (ATLAS) telescope at Rio Hurtado in Chile on July 1, 2022. Further analysis of archived data from ATLAS' three other telescopes, as well as from the Zwicky Sky Facility at the Palomar Observatory, confirmed the discovery[2].
Astronomers have been observing 3I/ATLAS using various telescopes worldwide, providing more information about its characteristics and origin. Upon studying its orbit, they determined that 3I/ATLAS is moving too fast to be bound by the sun's gravity, confirming its interstellar status[1].
The object will make its closest approach to the Sun on approximately October 29, 2025, at a distance of about 1.36 astronomical units (AU), which is inside the orbit of Mars[3][4]. It will come nearest to Earth in December 2025, reaching a distance of approximately 167 million miles (270 million km) or about 1.8 AU[1][3]. Its trajectory suggests that it is on a hyperbolic trajectory, meaning it will pass through our solar system and continue into interstellar space without being bound by the Sun's gravity[4].
While the exact size of 3I/ATLAS is not yet confirmed, it is estimated to be up to 20 kilometers wide[2]. Its speed is significantly higher than that of 1I/ʻOumuamua and 2I/Borisov, suggesting it is older and has traveled through space for a longer period[3].
ATLAS is a NASA-funded system developed and operated by the University of Hawaii for detecting potential Earth-impacting asteroids. It uses four telescopes, two in Hawaii, one in Chile, and one in South Africa, to automatically scan the entire sky multiple times each night[5].
Further observations and studies of 3I/ATLAS are expected to contribute significantly to our understanding of interstellar objects and their origins. As of now, 3I/ATLAS is located about 670 million kilometers from the sun, and it will head straight through the solar system and into interstellar space, never to be seen again.
- The groundbreaking discovery of interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, estimated to be approximately 20 kilometers in size, was made using technology like the Asteroid Terrestrial Impact Alert System (ATLAS) telescope, an AI-assisted system funded by NASA.
- With its AI-augmented observations and the analysis of archived data, scientists have confirmed that 3I/ATLAS, currently moving through space-and-astronomy, is an interstellar object, providing vital data for health-and-wellness on Earth as it elucidates the origins of such celestial bodies.
- The space-and-astronomy community anticipates that the study of 3I/ATLAS, which is traveling at a speed of 61 km per second and will make its closest approach to Earth in December 2025, will significantly advance our understanding of the universe, allowing for further exploration and possible discoveries in the field of science.
