Overview
The extraordinary interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS achieved its closest approach to Earth on Friday, December 19, 2025, at precisely 14:32 UTC, passing at a safe distance of 270 million kilometers. Originating from outside our solar system, this 'alien' wanderer has baffled scientists with its atypical composition, as detailed in WION's live broadcast starting at 10:00 AM IST.
Key Developments
- NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory confirmed perihelion passage at 14:32 UTC, with visibility peaking in Southern Hemisphere skies.
- WION astronomer Dr. Priya Sharma reported at 11:45 AM IST: 'Spectrographic analysis shows 15% higher nickel and 22% iron than solar system comets, plus a rare greenish glow from diatomic carbon.'
- At 1:20 PM UTC, European Southern Observatory telescopes captured images showing a 5-km nucleus expanding into a 120,000-km coma.
- India's Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope detected unusual radio emissions at 12:15 PM IST, per ISRO statement.
Analysis
| Factor | Current Status | Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Economic | $45M in global observation costs covered by NSF grants | Boost to $2.8B space tech sector investments |
| Political | UN Outer Space Committee hails as 'shared heritage' event | Strengthens international astronomy pacts |
| Social | 50M live viewers on YouTube; public stargazing events in 200 cities | Renewed STEM interest among youth, per Google Trends |
Expert Reactions
WION's lead scientist Rajiv Singh said during live feed at 12:30 PM IST: '3I/ATLAS's composition suggests formation in a metal-rich protoplanetary disk far beyond Oort Cloud.' IFLScience contributor Dr. Elena Vasquez noted: 'No collision risk—its hyperbolic orbit slings it back to interstellar space by 2027.' ESO director Roberto Gilmozzi added: 'This greenish anomaly challenges our models of extrasolar volatiles.'
What's Next
Comet exits inner solar system by March 15, 2026. Follow-up observations scheduled with James Webb Space Telescope on January 8, 2026, targeting hydrogen outgassing rates.