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Posted on 12/16/2025 9:06:28 AM PST by Red Badger
The Dec. 19 flyby of Comet 3I/ATLAS gives astronomers a rare chance to study only the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system.
VIDEO AT LINK...............
Astronomers and skywatchers are hoping to spot interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS on Dec. 19 when it makes its closest — but safely distant — flyby of Earth.
The comet has drawn global attention as only the third confirmed interstellar object observed passing through our solar system.
According to NASA, Comet 3I/ATLAS will not pose any threat to Earth during its pass. The object is expected to remain about 170 million miles from the planet on Dec. 19. Still, astronomers plan to use the flyby to learn more about this mysterious visitor.
Since its discovery in July, NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and other international space organizations have used ground-based telescopes and spacecraft throughout the solar system to observe Comet ATLAS. NASA’s Mars rover even captured images of the object during its close approach to the Red Planet.
More recently, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope photographed the comet with its Wide Field Camera for the first time since July.
The National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab Gemini North telescope in Hawaii also collected new observations around Thanksgiving, revealing how the comet changed after its Oct. 30 close pass by the sun.
Earlier Gemini images showed Comet 3I/ATLAS with a reddish hue, but after swinging past the sun, it now appears with a faint greenish glow. According to NOIRLab, this shift is caused by light emitted from gases in the comet’s coma, including diatomic carbon, which glows green at certain wavelengths.
Comet 3I/ATLAS streaks across stars and galaxies in this image captured by the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) on Gemini North on Maunakea in Hawai‘i. Despite speculation surrounding the comet’s origin, NASA and ESA experts say there is no evidence it is an alien or artificial object. Its color, speed and trajectory are all consistent with natural comet behavior, NASA said.
After its March flyby of Jupiter, Comet 3I/ATLAS will depart our solar system—leaving behind new clues about the mysteries of interstellar space.
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Ping!...............
But, but, but, I thought someone, named Avie, said it was a spaceship!!!
Has it signaled us yet?
No turn signals on that model................
Perfect for driving around my town.
Mexicans don’t use turn signals, I have learned..................
The real alien invasion begins....
If this thing starts slowing down, then we can panic..............
Its a sign of weakness. Besides, it just makes the other drivers start their blocking maneuvers early.
Apparently there is a ‘turn signal delete’ option available on some newer vehicles.......🤔😊👍
Wait til it hits 88 kilometers per second...
Had a co-worker that was from the Philippines who said he was a very good defensive driver.
*Raoul, defense in driving is not like defense in sports!
**It’s not?
*No!
There was a Star Trek episode in 1994 where the Enterprise discovered a rogue comet that had an ancient ship hidden under its ice shell. I’m thinking that’s where all this wishful thinking has been coming from.
Rendezvous With Rama!........
Let me guess, it will be 30 lunar distances away from earth. That’s what “fly-by” means in astro terms.
That’s when the alien ships will depart to come home to Earth.
I don’t know about you, but I welcome our new little grey overlords.
//sarcasm
Aline probably ride past the Earth and laugh their asses off.............
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