Comets

Latest about Comets

A streaking white comet moves to the left of the image with a boxout showing a floating metal spacecraft with two opposing solar panels in space

NASA exoplanet probe tracks interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS to gauge its spin

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

The interstellar visitor may still have a few things to tell us before it leaves our solar system.

Comets

Comet Wierzchos buzzes the sun later today: But can you see it?

By Anthony Wood published

C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) brightened significantly ahead of its close approach to the sun.

Comets
A laptop is shown displaying an image of a comet against a dark sky dotted with background stars blurred by their subtle motion through the sky. The laptop is set against a starry deep-space background complete with red nebula clouds.

Say goodbye to Comet 3I/ATLAS! Watch it head for interstellar space in real-time with this free livestream today

By Anthony Wood published

3I/ATLAS is heading away from the sun on an escape trajectory from our solar system.

Comets
A green ball of light showing comet Lemmon streaks across an orange and black night sky full of stars.

Will Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) be the 'great comet' of 2026?

By Jamie Carter published

In late April 2026, a long-period comet will swing through the inner solar system. It will likely be visible with binoculars, and there's a small chance it could be seen with the naked eye.

Comets
(Center) A white light of the comet 3I/ATLAS is surrounded by a blue glow against a black backgroundHubble Space Telescope captured interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS in November. (Corners) Images of the coma of 3I/ATLAS

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS reveals weird wobbling jets in rare sun-facing tail

By Robert Lea published

3I/ATLAS may have moved away from Earth as it makes its way out of the solar system, but this interstellar intruder continues to delight and surprise astronomers.

Comets

How 2025 became the year of comet: The rise of interstellar 3I/ATLAS, an icy Lemmon and a cosmic SWAN

By Anthony Wood published

Highlights from a cometary trio that captured our imaginations.

Comets
A white light of the comet 3I/ATLAS is surrounded by a blue glow against a black background

Latest Comet 3I/ATLAS news: Comet close approach today

By Tariq Malik, Daisy Dobrijevic, Anthony Wood last updated

Friday, Dec. 19, 2025: Your daily feed for the holiday flyby of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS by Earth.

Comets

Farewell, comet 3I/ATLAS! Interstellar visitor heads for the outer solar system after its closest approach to Earth

By Robert Lea published

3I/ATLAS has now made its closest approach to the sun and Earth and is now heading back out toward the outer solar system.

Comets
A series of four photos, one large one on the right and three stacked on the left showing various dots of comet 3I/ATLAS

How did interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS capture our imagination in 2025?

By Brett Tingley published

For one, it came down to timing.

Comets

What time will interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS be closest to Earth today?

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

NASA JPL pinpoints the moment the interstellar visitor passes closest to our planet.

Comets
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