3I/ATLAS Tracker

Welcome to the 3I/ATLAS Interstellar Comet Tracker

Discovered on July 1, 2025, by the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey, 3I/ATLAS, officially designated C/2025 N1, is the third confirmed interstellar object to visit our solar system. Unlike typical comets from the Oort Cloud, interstellar objects like 3I/ATLAS originate from other star systems, ejected by gravitational interactions and traveling through the galaxy for millions or billions of years before passing through ours.

This real-time tracker simulates the comet's hyperbolic trajectory using the latest orbital elements from the Minor Planet Center (MPC), NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and other astronomical databases. The simulation is powered by accurate Keplerian orbital mechanics, accounting for the comet's high eccentricity (e > 1), inclination, and velocity, which confirm its interstellar nature. No, it poses no threat to Earth—its closest approach is safely beyond Mars' orbit.

Use the controls below to manipulate the simulation: adjust time speed, focus on planets, or jump to key events like closest approaches. Data is updated periodically from official sources for accuracy. Note: This is an educational tool; for professional use, consult MPC ephemerides.

Disclaimer: While based on real astronomical data, this simulation simplifies complex n-body effects for visualization. Speculative theories (e.g., alien origins) are for entertainment and not endorsed as fact.

Details

Controls

Manipulate the flow of time in the simulation.

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Key Facts About 3I/ATLAS

  • Discovery: Detected by ATLAS telescopes in Hawaii. Initial observations showed an unbound orbit, leading to its interstellar classification.
  • Orbital Characteristics: Hyperbolic eccentricity of approximately 6.14, inclination of 175° (retrograde motion), and a perihelion distance of about 1.36 AU from the Sun.
  • Size and Composition: Estimated diameter of 1-10 km, likely composed of ices and dust similar to other comets, but its interstellar origin may reveal unique isotopic signatures.
  • Comparisons: Like 1I/'Oumuamua (cigar-shaped, no coma) and 2I/Borisov (cometary activity), 3I/ATLAS shows faint cometary tails in observations, suggesting outgassing as it approaches the Sun.
  • Scientific Importance: Studying interstellar objects provides insights into exoplanetary systems, galactic chemistry, and potential panspermia (life-seeding) theories. Missions like ESA's Comet Interceptor could target future visitors.