NASA’s 3I/ATLAS Comet Approaches Mars This October

Pasadena, California — NASA missions are collaborating to observe the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it travels through our solar system. This rare icy visitor, detected on July 1, 2025, is making headlines due to its unique characteristics and massive size.

After extensive studies using advanced space telescopes like Hubble, Webb, and SPHEREx, scientists have determined the comet’s trajectory will take it past Mars on October 3, 2025. At that time, several spacecraft located near Mars may capture its appearance.

3I/ATLAS, estimated to weigh around 33 billion tons, is significantly larger than previous interstellar objects like 1I/'Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov. The comet’s nucleus, measured to be more than 5 kilometers in diameter, is composed of unusual materials that raise questions about its origin.

“We should not judge a book by its cover,” said Avi Loeb, a prominent astrophysicist and head of the Galileo Project at Harvard University. Loeb’s research into 3I/ATLAS suggests it may be more than just a natural comet; he posits it could potentially have technological origins.

The upcoming observations from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter‘s HiRISE camera are expected to provide a clearer understanding of the comet’s features. This high-resolution imaging will focus on the amount of sunlight reflected from the comet, allowing scientists to assess its surface area and refine their mass estimates.

After its pass by Mars, 3I/ATLAS is predicted to hide behind the Sun until November before continuing its journey out of the solar system. As scientists continue to analyze data, new insights about 3I/ATLAS are anticipated, potentially transforming our understanding of such cosmic phenomena.