Astronomy Picture of the Day · December 1, 2025

3I/ATLAS: Tails of an Interstellar Comet

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for December 1, 2025 is “3I/ATLAS: Tails of an Interstellar Comet,” an image. The picture is copyrighted by its creator (Image Credit & Copyright: Victor Sabet & Julien De Winter). The original explanation runs about 159 words.

A starfield is shown around a comet. The green coma of the comet is on the lower left. A meandering blue-tinted tail goes off to the upper right. A slight anti-tail is seen from the coma toward the lower left. Please see the explanation for — Credit: Image Credit & Copyright: Victor Sabet & Julien De Winter Copyrighted Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“How typical is our Solar System? Studying 3I/ATLAS , a comet just passing through, is providing clues.”

— APOD editors, December 1, 2025

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date: December 1, 2025
Type: Image
Credit: Credit: Image Credit & Copyright: Victor Sabet & Julien De Winter
Copyright: Copyrighted by the credited creator. Ask the copyright holder before reusing it.
Explanation length: About 159 words