No, comet 3I/ATLAS doesn't have aliens onboard
Spotted in July 2025 by the ATLAS telescope in Chile, comet 3I/ATLAS quickly became an internet sensation, with some folks even wondering if it was a sign of alien life.
Scientists have set the record straight: it's just a really old, natural comet—possibly up to seven billion years old—shooting out gas and dust as it heats up near the Sun.
No aliens here, just classic cosmic fireworks.
Mark your calendars for December 19, 2025
Mark your calendar for December 19, 2025: that's when 3I/ATLAS will swing closest to Earth (about 269 million kilometers away).
It won't pose any danger but will be visible for several weeks through small telescopes in the Northern Hemisphere.
NASA and ESA are keeping tabs as it heads off toward Jupiter in March 2026—so if you're into stargazing, now's your chance!