Today, December 19, 2025, the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS will pass at a minimum distance from Earth. As astronomers note, it does not pose a direct threat of collision; however, its appearance has once again drawn scientists' attention to rare cosmic visitors arriving from beyond the Solar System.
According to specialists, 3I/ATLAS is moving at a speed of about 240,000 kilometers per hour - characteristic of interstellar bodies not bound by the Sun's gravity. Most scientists believe that it is a large comet, the size of which may be comparable to the area of Manhattan.
At the same time, Harvard University professor Avi Loeb stated that there are anomalies in the trajectory and behavior of the object that, in his opinion, are not fully explained by standard models of comet motion. He did not rule out the hypothesis of a possible artificial origin for 3I/ATLAS, emphasizing that humanity currently lacks protocols for responding to potential extraterrestrial technologies.
Loeb noted that the probability of a dangerous scenario is extremely low; however, the absence of ready mechanisms for response makes the topic a subject of scientific discussion. According to him, even slight changes in trajectory at such speeds can have unpredictable consequences, which requires careful study of such objects.
Official representatives of NASA and leading astronomical centers maintain a more cautious assessment. They state that all current observations indicate the natural, cometary nature of 3I/ATLAS, which is passing through the Solar System in transit.
Interest in the object is also fueled by statements from public figures outside the scientific community; however, scientists emphasize that at this time, 3I/ATLAS remains an object of astronomical observation. Its flyby, regardless of its origin, may provide unique data on the composition and properties of interstellar bodies.
