The interstellar traveler 3I/ATLAS, a cosmic relic older than our Solar System itself, is once again visible from Earth. Having recently passed behind the Sun, the comet reached its perihelion last week and has now re-emerged into view.
Earth’s current orbital position brings it closer to the path of this ancient visitor, making the coming weeks the best time to observe 3I/ATLAS.
Visible Through Binoculars or a Telescope
Although not dazzlingly bright, the comet will be visible in the pre-dawn hours with a simple telescope or a powerful pair of binoculars — a rare chance to witness a celestial body that formed nearly 10 billion years ago in the distant reaches of another star system.
Peak Visibility: November
According to Dr. Franck Marchis of the SETI Institute, November will offer the ideal conditions to observe the comet, which will appear near Venus and the bright star Spica in the Virgo constellation.
“Around November 3rd, it will rise roughly two hours before sunrise and may reach a magnitude of about 10 — bright enough to be seen with a telescope or strong binoculars,” Marchis told IFLScience.
To locate it, observers can use Venus or Spica as reference points. Astronomy apps like SkySafari, Stellarium, or Sky Tonight are also helpful. Marchis notes that comet brightness is unpredictable — “This might be your best chance to catch it,” he adds.
An Interstellar Messenger
3I/ATLAS is only the third confirmed interstellar object ever detected, following ‘Oumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019). It was discovered on July 1, 2025, by the Asteroid Terrestrial Last Alert System (ATLAS), from which it takes its name.
With an estimated age of 7 billion years, 3I/ATLAS could be the oldest object ever observed passing through our Solar System. Its outer layers are rich in carbon dioxide and nickel, offering rare insights into the chemical composition of its home star system.
Global Observation and Live Stream
Even if cloudy skies block your view, you can still witness the event — the Virtual Telescope Project plans to stream live footage of 3I/ATLAS in the coming weeks.
Beyond the Myths
Rumors claiming that the comet “hid behind the Sun” or “changed its trajectory” have circulated online, but experts dismiss these as baseless. Scientists emphasize that such claims often spread alongside unfounded “alien encounter” narratives.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is also preparing to observe the comet through missions such as Mars Express, ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, and Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer.
3I/ATLAS will soon leave our Solar System — continuing its silent journey across the galaxy for perhaps another billion years.