Archive · 15 Sep 2025
Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Changes Color, Puzzles Scientists
Imagine a space rock, 3I/ATLAS, that came from outside our solar system.
Scientists took pictures and noticed it's changing color!
It was red, and now it's turning green and blue.
The change might be because the comet is getting closer to the sun.
When it gets closer, it could release chemicals.
These chemicals could be causing the color change.
Scientists are still figuring out why this is happening.
The comet doesn't pose any danger to Earth and will continue its journey out of our solar system.
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has changed color from red to green and blue-green.
Astrophotographers captured the comet in Namibia.
The color change is possibly due to chemicals emitted from the comet as it nears the Sun.
The object was discovered on July 1 by the ATLAS system.
It is the third object from outside of our solar system discovered.
- Who
- Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS and astronomers
- What
- A comet's color change from red to green and blue-green, puzzling scientists.
- When
- Observed in September 2025.
- Where
- In our solar system, images taken over Namibia.
- Why
- The reason for the color change is not yet fully known, but likely related to the comet's proximity to the Sun and the release of chemicals.
- Object Name
- 3I/ATLAS
- Color Change
- Red to Green
- Discovery Date
- July 1
- Discovery System
- Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS)
- Distance from Sun (discovery)
- 675 million kilometers
- First Observed
- September 7