The chemical signatures we're observing may reflect both the comet's ancient origins and its long journey through interstellar space.

The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is now reaching its closest point to the sun, or perihelion, on Wednesday, according to NASA. At just 130 million miles from our star, the comet is expected to flare in brightness as solar radiation heats its surface and blasts streams of gas and dust into space.

The latest telescope image of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS revealed that the object was ejecting a dramatic amount of ice and dust into space.

Comet 3I/ATLAS is the third known interstellar object to cross the Solar System, and in a matter of days it will pass the central point in its foray around our corner of the universe. On October 29, the comet will reach 203 million kilometers (126 million miles) from the Sun.

The mysterious interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, which originated beyond our solar system, is expected to approach the Sun around October 29 and October 30. It is predicted to go around the Sun at a distance of roughly 1.

Astronomers say the interstellar comet known as 3I/ATLAS is entering its most active phase, though what happens next remains uncertain. Rare cosmic visitor According to NASA, 3I/ATLAS is only the third interstellar object ever identified passing through our solar system.

A newly found interstellar comet poses absolutely no threat to Earth, but a NASA-coordinated group plans to observe it to help our ability to monitor any future objects that might prove to be hazardous.

On July 1, the ATLAS survey telescope recorded the comet flying through space at a staggering speed of 130,000 mph (210,000 km/h). It was located roughly 670 million kilometers fr