The universe is vast and, for the most part, empty. That is why the appearance of an interstellar object (ISO) in our solar neighbourhood is so noteworthy. Named 3I/ATLAS, this cosmic visitor has been the toast of the astronomical community ever since its detection on 1 July, marking it as only the third ISO ever observed passing through our system.
Having recently navigated its closest approach to the Sun, 3I/ATLAS is currently charting a course that will take it past Earth. Crucially, astronomers confirm that it poses absolutely no threat to our planet, passing by at a distance considered entirely safe.
