Interstellar visitor 3I ATLAS shows off a massive jet as it heats up near the sun
Astronomers have captured a breathtaking image of comet 3I ATLAS, an interstellar object currently journeying through our solar system, blasting a spectacular jet of gas and dust directly toward the sun. The discovery, confirmed by observatories in Hawaii and the Canary Islands, has reignited scientific excitement about these rare visitors from beyond our solar system.
The new observation, published on October 25, 2025, by Space.com, reveals that 3I ATLAS — the third interstellar comet ever detected after ‘Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov — is warming rapidly as it approaches the inner solar system. This heating process has triggered a visible jet eruption, captured in extraordinary detail by the Two-meter Twin Telescope at Teide Observatory in Tenerife and the Gemini North Telescope in Hawaii.
What the new images reveal about 3I ATLAS
The latest composite image shows the dark, rocky nucleus of 3I ATLAS surrounded by a glowing coma, a hazy atmosphere of vaporized ice and dust. A purple streak — the newly formed jet — bursts outward toward the sun, stretching roughly 10,000 kilometers (6,200 miles) from the comet’s surface.
According to astronomer Miquel Serra-Ricart, chief science officer at Light Bridges Research and lead observer for the project, the jet is made up primarily of carbon dioxide and dust. He explained that as the comet’s sun-facing side heats unevenly, pockets of trapped gas under its icy crust explode outward, forming high-speed jets like the one now visible.
“This is typical behavior for active comets,” Serra-Ricart said, “but what makes 3I ATLAS special is that it’s not from our solar system — it’s an interstellar traveler passing through.”
How interstellar comets differ from solar system comets
Unlike comets that originate from our Oort Cloud, 3I ATLAS hails from another star system entirely. Its high velocity and unusual orbital trajectory confirm its interstellar origin, meaning it entered our solar system from deep space and will eventually exit it forever.
The presence of a propelling jet on such an object provides astronomers with valuable insights into how cometary ices behave under solar radiation, even when the comet’s composition formed under different stellar conditions.
“Studying interstellar comets like 3I ATLAS helps us understand how materials form and evolve in other planetary systems,” noted planetary scientist Karin Meech of the University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy.
The role of powerful telescopes in capturing the event
The dramatic new image of 3I ATLAS was created from 159 separate exposures, each lasting 50 seconds, taken on August 2, 2025. These were combined using advanced image-processing techniques by the teams at NOIRLab and AURA.
The Gemini North Telescope provided a wide-field background view, while the Teide Observatory data highlighted the details of the jet. The result is one of the most detailed ground-based views ever obtained of an interstellar comet in action.
Astronomers reported the finding in the Astronomer’s Telegram, a scientific alert service used to share time-sensitive discoveries with the global astronomy community.
A jet longer than the continental United States
The 3I ATLAS jet, stretching 10,000 km across space, is more than twice the width of the United States. Scientists believe it may continue to expand and shift direction as the comet rotates and draws closer to the sun.
As the solar wind — a stream of charged particles emitted by the sun — hits the jet, some of the ejected material is expected to drift into the comet’s tail, creating a dazzling display of light and color.
This process mirrors what was seen in the famous C/2020 F3 NEOWISE comet, which became visible to the naked eye in 2020. However, because 3I ATLAS is on a hyperbolic trajectory, it will never return once it leaves our solar system.
Why the discovery matters
The detection of active jetting on 3I ATLAS is a major step forward in understanding interstellar objects. Each new observation adds to the growing body of evidence that other star systems produce icy bodies similar to comets in our own.
By analyzing its composition and behavior, astronomers hope to compare 3I ATLAS to previous interstellar visitors, revealing how cosmic ices vary across the galaxy.
Conclusion: A rare and fleeting visitor
As 3I ATLAS continues its journey toward the inner solar system, astronomers will keep a close eye on its activity. The current eruption may only be the beginning, with more jets expected as it heats further.
For now, the new telescope images provide a stunning glimpse into the dynamic nature of this interstellar traveler — a brief cosmic visitor leaving behind a trail of mystery and beauty before disappearing back into the vastness of space.
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