Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS reveals carbon dioxide-rich composition while NASA maintains secrecy

The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS was detected on July 1, 2025 by the ATLAS telescope, located at Chile. The celestial object has an unusual chemical composition, with high levels of carbon dioxide that outnumber water by an eight-to-one ratio. Desde October, NASA imposed restrictions on publishing detailed data about the celestial body, citing budget limitations resulting from government shutdowns on Estados Unidos.

Astrônomos from different countries collect information through independent observatories spread across the globe. The comet’s hyperbolic trajectory confirms its origin outside the solar system. The object reached its closest approach to Sol in May 2025, at a distance of 6.4 astronomical units.

Características orbitals and landmark events

• The closest approach to Marte occurred on October 3, 2025.
• Sondas orbiters have captured images of the comet, but full analysis still awaits processing.
• The perihelion, the point of maximum proximity to Sol, is scheduled for October 30th.

The comet’s speed varies between 210 and 221 thousand kilometers per hour, with accelerations recorded as it approaches Sol. The estimated mass is between a thousand and ten thousand times greater than that of typical comets in the solar system. Até at the moment, there are no signs of fragmentation of the celestial body.

Composição chemistry and internal structure

Análises spectroscopy reveals a predominance of carbon monoxide in the comet’s composition. Compostos volatiles indicate exposure to cosmic radiation over billions of years. The absence of heavy metals suggests a connection to ancient stars, with the object estimated to be between 7.6 and 14 billion years old.

The core varies in diameter between 300 meters and 5.6 kilometers. The active surface represents more than 8% of the comet’s total area. Padrões symmetrical traces of gas appear in the captured images, while vibrations in the core indicate a complex internal structure. Metallic Grãos were detected on the surface of the object.

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Monitoramento by space agencies

Collaboration with Agência Espacial Europeia fills gaps in available information. The Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter probes recorded infrared images of the comet. Observatórios on Chile and Europa have been monitoring the object since May 2025.

Telescópio Espacial James Webb confirmed ultraviolet emissions in August. Telescópio Espacial Hubble plans observations in November for detailed spectroscopy. The comet’s trajectory will pass 1.4 astronomical units from Sol, and the minimum distance to Terra will be 240 million kilometers.

Observações terrestrials and recent discoveries

Río Hurtado’s ATLAS telescope confirmed the comet’s hyperbolic orbit. Activity began in May with constant luminosity until September 2025. The Vera C. Rubin observatory captured images in June, while the exoplanet transit satellite recorded data before the official discovery.

An unusual negative polarization has sparked debates about the correct classification of the object. Accelerations near planets surprise existing gravitational models. Esses data collected by multiple scientific institutions extends the observation window before the comet leaves the solar system, scheduled for December 2025, when ground-based telescopes will still be able to record it on receding trajectories.