UN coordinates global monitoring of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS starting today

Rede Internacional of Alerta of Asteroides (IAWN), coordinated by the UN, began continuous monitoring of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS this Wednesday (27). The object, discovered in July 2025, crosses the inner solar system without posing a risk to Terra.

The campaign lasts two months and brings together observatories from different countries. Scientists adjust instruments to track diffuse comets, different from the usual rocky asteroids.

The exercise tests protocols established since 2017 and marks the eighth operation of its kind carried out by the network.

Object characteristics confirmed by NASA

Images captured by three spacecraft in orbit of Marte, around 29 million kilometers from the comet, show a typical cometary nucleus structure. NASA released the records to end speculation about artificial origin.

The comet has a bright coma and a tail directed towards Sol, behaviors expected in icy objects that heat up as they approach the star.

The North American agency reinforced that 3I/ATLAS follows a hyperbolic trajectory, confirming its origin outside the solar system.

Earth observations record visual details

Amateur astronomers of Japão, Espanha, Chile and Canadá obtained images between November 21 and 24. Records show an intense green body and long tail.

• Photograph of Mitsunori Tsumura, on Japão, highlights prolonged anti-tail
• Image captured on Espanha with a 31 cm telescope reveals conical shape surrounded by fog
• Record made by Paul Craggs, in Canadá, shows a clear outline of the nucleus

Observations complement professional data and help calibrate terrestrial instruments.

Protocol activates coordination between space agencies

The current campaign was planned from 2024 to test tracking of interstellar objects. The discovery of 3I/ATLAS allowed the procedures to be applied in a real situation.

Centers at América of Norte, Europa, Ásia and América of Sul participate in the operation. The data collected improves trajectory prediction models.

Trajectory maintains safe distance from Terra

The comet reaches perihelion in December and passes millions of kilometers from the planet. The high speed prevents gravitational capture by the Sol.

Experts calculate that the object will leave the inner solar system in February 2026. The passage offers a rare window to study primordial material from another star.

Images expand knowledge about interstellar visitors

Records obtained in recent weeks show rapid evolution of the tail. The phenomenon occurs due to the release of gases when approaching Sol.

Extended visibility facilitates spectra collection and chemical composition measurement. The results contribute to the understanding of planetary formation in other systems.

Monitoring continues in real time using ground and space telescopes coordinated by IAWN.