Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS might've broken into 16 pieces

Technology Nov 11, 2025

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS—a rare visitor from beyond our solar system—might have shattered after swinging close to the Sun.
Astronomers spotted an unusual "anti-tail" and big gas jets, hinting it could've split into as many as 16 pieces.
Astrophysicist Avi Loeb thinks the Sun's intense heat likely caused this dramatic breakup.

Comet's closest approach to Earth on December 19

As 3I/ATLAS got closer to the Sun, its brightness and mass loss shot up, losing almost two million kilograms every second.
We'll know more soon, thanks to upcoming observations by the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes.
The comet will pass closest to Earth on December 19, 2025—and then swing by Jupiter in March 2026—giving scientists a rare chance to learn more about these mysterious interstellar visitors.