???? What is 3I/ATLAS?

3I/ATLAS is an interstellar comet — meaning it originated outside our Solar System. It was discovered on 1 July 2025 by the Asteroid Terrestrial‑impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Chile. NASA Science+1
Its orbit is hyperbolic (not bound to the Sun), marking it as the third confirmed interstellar object after 1I/ʻOumuamua and 2I/Borisov. Wikipedia+1

???? Why the images are striking

  • One image shows a colourful streak — the comet’s coma and tail captured through multiple telescopic filters.

  • Another image diagrammatically shows its path through our Solar System, revealing how it will pass by the Sun and then exit.

  • In the top-right visual you may spot stars trailing behind; that’s because telescopes tracked the moving comet, so background stars appear streaked. Interesting effect. NASA Science

???? What scientists are learning

  • The comet’s tail is growing, and it is releasing gas and dust as it nears the Sun, a sign of cometary activity despite its alien origin. Space+1

  • Observations show unexpected features like jets of material and possible anti-tail structures (tails oriented toward the Sun’s direction), sparking fresh questions about how interstellar comets behave. Live Science+1

  • Although it moves at an extremely high speed compared to typical comets in our Solar System, it poses no threat to Earth. NASA Science

???? What to take away

This image is a potent reminder of how our universe is dynamic and vast — that objects formed in another star system can pass through ours and provide real-time science opportunities.
For followers of astronomy and science news, 3I/ATLAS offers a rare window into material from beyond our solar neighborhood. And for content like “Picture of the Day,” it makes a compelling, visually rich choice.