Astronomy Picture of the Day

   [1]Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                 2025 July 7
      [2]A drawing of our Solar System shows the orbits of Jupiter and
    interior planets. A white line shows the trajectory of passing comet
     3I/ATLAS. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

                         Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS
                    Image Credit: [3]NASA, [4]JPL-Caltech

   Explanation: It came from outer space. An object from outside [5]our
   Solar System is now passing through at high speed. Classified as a
   comet because of its gaseous coma, [6]3I/ATLAS is [7]only [8]the third
   identified macroscopic object as being [9]so alien. The comet's
   trajectory is shown in white on the [10]featured map, where the orbits
   of [11]Jupiter, [12]Mars, and [13]Earth are shown in gold, red, and
   blue. Currently [14]Comet 3I/ATLAS is about the distance of Jupiter
   from the Sun -- but closing, with its closest approach to our Sun
   expected to be within the orbit of [15]Mars in late October. Expected
   to pass near both Mars and Jupiter, [16]3I/ATLAS is not expected to
   pass close to the Earth. The origin of Comet 3I/ATLAS [17]remains
   unknown. Although initial activity indicates a [18]relatively normal
   comet, future observations about [19]3I/ATLAS' composition and nature
   will surely continue.

           Piece it All Together: [20]Astronomy Puzzle of the Day
                     Tomorrow's picture: stellar sisters
     __________________________________________________________________

      [21]< | [22]Archive | [23]Submissions | [24]Index | [25]Search |
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     __________________________________________________________________

    Authors & editors: [32]Robert Nemiroff ([33]MTU) & [34]Jerry Bonnell
                                 ([35]UMCP)
          NASA Official: Amber Straughn [36]Specific rights apply.
            [37]NASA Web Privacy, [38]Accessibility, [39]Notices;
                A service of: [40]ASD at [41]NASA / [42]GSFC,
                         [43]NASA Science Activation
                           & [44]Michigan Tech. U.

References

   1. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
   2. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2507/Interstellar3I_nasa_2913.jpg
   3. https://www.nasa.gov/
   4. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/
   5. https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/
   6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3I/ATLAS
   7. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap171122.html
   8. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap191018.html
   9. https://www.swri.org/newsroom/press-releases/ibex-spacecraft-measures-alien-particles-outside-solar-system-reveals-interactions-surrounding-regions
  10. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3I-ATLAS_trajectory_Jul_2025.jpg
  11. https://science.nasa.gov/jupiter/
  12. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240909.html
  13. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130331.html
  14. https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/Planetary_Defence/ESA_tracks_rare_interstellar_comet
  15. https://science.nasa.gov/mars/
  16. https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/comets/3i-atlas/
  17. https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2019/09/04/08/24/cat-4451003_1280.jpg
  18. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250128.html
  19. https://youtu.be/-vzafaw0t08
  20. https://www.scigames.org/apps/webjigsaw2/index.php
  21. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250706.html
  22. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
  23. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/apsubmit2015.html
  24. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html
  25. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/apod/apod_search
  26. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html
  27. https://apod.com/feed.rss
  28. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/edlinks.html
  29. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html
  30. https://asterisk.apod.com/discuss_apod.php?date=250707
  31. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250708.html
  32. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/faculty/Nemiroff.html
  33. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/
  34. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/htmltest/jbonnell/www/bonnell.html
  35. http://www.astro.umd.edu/
  36. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html#srapply
  37. https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/HP_Privacy.html
  38. https://www.nasa.gov/general/accessibility/
  39. https://www.nasa.gov/privacy/
  40. https://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov/
  41. https://www.nasa.gov/
  42. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/
  43. https://science.nasa.gov/learners
  44. http://www.mtu.edu/