Image details:
Sequence of VLT images of 3I/ATLAS, a new interstellar object
Credit: ESO/O. Hainaut
https://www.eso.org/public/images/potw2527b/
In the recent months the scientific community and the public was touched by the information about the third interstellar traveller visiting our Solar System. An unexpected discovery was made on the 1st July 2025 by the ATLAS* station situated at Río Hurtado, Chile. An initial name of the intriguing object (i.e. A11pl3Z) was pretty quickly changed into 3I/ATLAS. This way it joined to its previous, already "famous" predecessors like 1I/2017 U1 Oumuamua and 2I/2019 Q4 Borisov. Similar like in their case, the detection of 3I/ATLAS raised a series of questions which many expect to be answered. The most essential one relates to the object's true nature. There are, however, some doubts in that matter. One may ask then what is more speculative:
- an a priori statement that the third interstellar traveller did not accidentally appear in the vicinity of Earth and hence has an artificial origin. Therefore, it must be connected with extraterrestrial intelligence even if there are no unambiguous premises to support this bold and medially catchy thesis, or
- persistent expressing the view that it is a common comet from the far edges of the Universe, pure and simple. Despite the fact that the results of the preliminary research of its "behaviour" (such as: trajectory, acceleration) and chemical composition indicate completely something else. Something, what is, putting it mildly, highly disturbing and should not be ignored by the authorities.
If it really does not constitute a serious threat, in the context of the so-called Torino Scale**, there is no reason to cause panic. So far we still pose a greater threat for ourselves, as a warlike gen seems to be imprinted in our DNA. Nevertheless, it is not only about an inert "piece of rock".
No matter which of the above mentioned concepts is true, space has great mysteries potential. For sure, it will surprise us yet many times, enriching our knowledge. Where is 3I/ATLAS now? Well… According to the latest reports, on the 3rd October 2025 it passed Mars at a distance of approx. 29 million kilometres (18 019 764 miles). At the end of the month (29th), it will approach to the Sun at the distance of 1,36 AU*** leaving us with all (un)justified "what ifs" and "and yet".
Meanwhile, we should keep our minds and eyes open, remembering that among the stunning beauty of the night sky, the multiaspectual unknown is also hidden out there… Perhaps we will never have to face it, but before we finally "grow up" as a space civilization, we should establish, just in case, the United Space Forces Command. It may, however, turn out to be an extremely difficult undertaking due to many barriers dividing the contemporary world.
Together with the arrival of Oumuamua, a new book has been already opened and is ready to scrupulously record the next visits of interstellar travellers…
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- *
- Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System.
- **
- The scale estimating the potential Earth impact hazard and defining its widely-understood aftermaths.
- ***
- 1 AU: 149,597,870.7 km (92,955,807.3 miles).
#comet