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Hans India
18-07-2025
- Science
- Hans India
IIA releases images, video of third interstellar visitor
Bengaluru: Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, on Thursday released a video and a montage of time-lapse images of the recently spotted comet C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), also known as 3I/ATLAS, for educational and outreach purposes. The comet was first discovered on July 1 by the ATLAS telescope in Chile. 'This is only the third interstellar object to visit our solar system, which is exciting. Telescopes around the world will be studying this comet before it exits the Sun's gravitational pull to learn more about its structure and chemistry,' said Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, Head of IIA's Science, Communication, Public Outreach and Education (SCOPE) section. IIA researchers, he added, observed the comet on the night of July 3 using the Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) at the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh—a high-altitude astronomy station operated by IIA.
News18
17-07-2025
- Science
- News18
IIA releases images, video of third interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS
Bengaluru, Jul 17 (PTI) Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, on Thursday released a video and a montage of time-lapse images of the recently spotted comet C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), also known as 3I/ATLAS, for educational and outreach purposes. The comet was first discovered on July 1 by the ATLAS telescope in Chile. 'This is only the third interstellar object to visit our solar system, which is exciting. Telescopes around the world will be studying this comet before it exits the Sun's gravitational pull to learn more about its structure and chemistry," said Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, Head of IIA's Science, Communication, Public Outreach and Education (SCOPE) section. IIA researchers, he added, observed the comet on the night of July 3 using the Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) at the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh—a high-altitude astronomy station operated by IIA. 'We wanted to image it with the Himalayan Chandra Telescope at Hanle to highlight how such celestial interlopers are tracked and to showcase its rapid motion for the benefit of the public," Ramanujam added. When first detected in Chile, C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) was about 4.5 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun—roughly 670 million kilometres—and travelling at a remarkable speed of 61 km per second, according to IIA. The comet, which has generated considerable excitement among astronomers as the third confirmed interstellar visitor to our Solar System, will remain visible through large telescopes until September, after which it will be obscured by the Sun's glare, said IIA. There were initial concerns about a potential threat to Earth, but NASA has confirmed the comet poses no danger, as it will come no closer than 1.8 AU—approximately 270 million kilometres from Earth. C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) will reach its closest point to the Sun around October 30, at a distance of 1.4 AU. PTI JR SSK (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 17, 2025, 19:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Himalayan Chandra Telescope captures comet ATLAS
The Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle in Ladakh of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) had recently captured the comet C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), which is only the third interstellar visitor to the solar system so far. The comet , also known as 3I/ATLAS, was first spotted by the ATLAS telescope in Chile, moving rapidly at a relative speed of 61 kilometre per second on July 1. The IIA said that this object has captured the attention of astronomers across the world and in order to promote interest and awareness on this celestial visitor among the students and general public in India, the Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle observed the comet using the Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) on the night of July 3. 'Our webpage ( 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 said on Thursday. The comet was discovered by international telescopes, the IIA said.
