Indian Observatory Captures Third Interstellar Comet

C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) Spotted by Hanle Telescope

Astronomers are buzzing as India’s Hanle-based Indian Astronomical Observatory has successfully captured images of comet C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), a rare visitor from beyond our solar system. This marks only the third confirmed interstellar object to traverse our cosmic neighborhood.

A Cosmic Wanderer Observed

The comet, also identified as 3I/ATLAS, was initially detected by the ATLAS telescope located in Chile. It was observed moving at a remarkable relative velocity of 61 kilometers per second as of July 1.

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) noted the widespread fascination among scientists globally for this celestial object. To foster interest among Indian students and the public, the observatory in Hanle utilized the Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) on the night of July 3 to observe the comet.

Educational Outreach Launched

The IIA announced on Thursday that its dedicated webpage now features a video and a series of time-lapse images of the comet. These resources, derived from the HCT data, are intended for educational purposes and to increase public awareness.

Our webpage (https://www.iiap.res.in/outreach/other-initiatives/comets-from-ourtelescopes/c2025-n1-atlas/) now has a video as well as montages of timelapse images of the comet using this data, along with additional details, for education and outreach purposes. the IIA stated.

Global Discovery

The discovery of the comet itself was credited to international telescope efforts, according to the IIA. The identification of interstellar objects like C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) provides invaluable insights into the composition and dynamics of other star systems. For context, the first confirmed interstellar visitor, ‘Oumuamua, was discovered in 2017, followed by comet 2I/Borisov in 2019. Recent astronomical surveys aim to detect such objects more frequently, with projects like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory expected to significantly increase our catalog of near-Earth objects and interstellar visitors once fully operational in 2025 (LSST).