Name: Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS races through solar system
Uploaded: 2025-11-13T09:23:06.623Z
Duration: 1 min 32 s
Description: Comet 3I/ATLAS, a mysterious interstellar visitor, is hurtling through our solar system at incredible speed. Scientists are studying its makeup for clues about distant star systems — and to rule out any possibility of alien technology.

Comet 3I/ATLAS, a mysterious interstellar visitor, is hurtling through our solar system at incredible speed. Scientists are studying its makeup for clues about distant star systems — and to rule out any possibility of alien technology.

Comet 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar object not originating from our solar system, is making a rare passage through the solar system. Discovered by a network of telescopes, it has attracted scientific attention due to its unusually high carbon dioxide content and its rapid speed compared to typical comets.

Now past its closest approach to the sun, 3I/ATLAS is being closely observed by researchers aiming to learn more about its composition and origin. The comet is currently bright enough to be seen with a small telescope, offering a unique viewing opportunity for amateur astronomers.

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS races through solar system

Picture a tiny chunk of ice and dust that's been traveling through space for billions of years. Now it's finally paying us a visit. Meet Comet 3i ATLAS. The I stands for interstellar, meaning not from our solar system, maybe even older than our solar system. The comet was discovered by a massive network of telescopes that's designed to scan the sky for things that might hit Earth. It's been getting brighter as it gets closer to us, but for a while it was actually hiding behind our sun. So only recently did it peek back into view. But what makes this comet so special? It is only the third interstellar object ever found in our solar system. Incredibly rare. Also, this thing is fast. Most comets in our solar system sort of drift in slowly, but this one is moving at top speeds. But the part that has scientists stumped is actually its chemistry. 3i ATLAS has way more carbon dioxide than we usually see on a comet. Now that the comet has moved past its closest point to the sun, scientists are lining up to study it again, especially to see how it changes as it cools down. We could start learning what it's really made of, or even where it came from in the next couple of months. Oh, and those rumors that this could be aliens? Well, experts say 3i ATLAS is behaving fairly normally, and there's no reason to jump to conclusions. But I did save the best part for last. You can see this visitor for yourself. 3i ATLAS is just bright enough that with a small telescope and a good star chart, you can spot it in the coming weeks.

With the Amazon nearing a tipping point, Indigenous voices are demanding immediate action at COP30, with campaigners saying their protests are a stark reminder that time is running out to stop catastrophic climate change.

Belém

Indigenous voices demand action at COP30 amid Amazon crisis

The U.S. government's longest standoff left both parties facing heavy criticism, and neither is likely to claim victory. Millions of Americans felt the impact, from hundreds of thousands of unpaid federal workers to families left without food stamps.

Washington

Trump signs deal to end record 43-day U.S. shutdown

Venezuela is preparing a 'massive mobilization' of its military as the U.S.’s largest warship arrives in the Caribbean Sea after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a military buildup in the region.

Caracas

Venezuela readying military as U.S.’s largest warship arrives

After 43 days, Congress passes a bill to reopen the U.S. government—Trump to sign spending legislation into law.

Washington County

U.S. House votes to re-open government, Trump to sign bill

Linda Sun faces trial – Prosecutors allege she secretly advanced China’s interests while serving in New York government.

New York

Ex-aide to NY governor accused of being China agent

The House passed a funding bill to end the government shutdown on Wednesday night, sending the measure to President Trump's desk for final signature.

House passes bill to fund government and end U.S. shutdown

Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the G7 summit to discuss defense, trade, and global security cooperation amid growing geopolitical tensions.

Kananaskis

Canada meets with U.S. counterpart Rubio at G7 summit

Venezuela has announced a "massive mobilization" of its military forces, as the U.S. continues its military buildup in the Caribbean. The announcement comes in the wake of U.S. strikes that have targeted at least 20 vessels in the waters around Latin America, killing dozens of people.

Venezuela mobilizing military as U.S. builds up military presence

The House of Representatives is preparing to vote on a long-awaited bill to end the government shutdown. CBS News congressional reporter Taurean Small has more from Capitol Hill.

House of Representatives ready vote on ending government shutdown

Warning: Some details are disturbing. An Army OB-GYN in Texas is accused of years of sexual assault and abuse of women on multiple bases, according to a recent lawsuit.

Killeen

Army gynecologist accused of secretly taking videos during exams

U.S. House Democrats on Wednesday released emails from Jeffrey Epstein referencing President Donald Trump, who has denied any knowledge of the convicted sex offender's crimes. In a 2019 email, Epstein said Trump "knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop."

New emails from Epstein mentioning Trump released by House Democrats

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz was arraigned on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to allegations of taking bribes to rig pitches. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul reports.

Brooklyn

Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz arraigned, pleads not guilty

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed the BBC while urging it to correct errors after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened a $1 billion lawsuit over a misleading edit of his Jan. 6, 2021 speech. The controversy led to the resignations of the BBC director general and head of news.

London

UK PM Keir Starmer backs BBC amid Trump threat

The U.S. House of Representatives will vote Wednesday on a spending bill that passed in the Senate earlier this week and could bring the longest government shutdown to an end.

House to vote on funding bill that could reopen government

The USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group has moved into the Latin America region, U.S. officials say, dramatically escalating a military buildup that has deepened tensions with Venezuela.

Largest U.S. aircraft carrier sailing to Latin America region

U.S. President Donald Trump sent a letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog urging him to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. CBS News' Courtney Kealy has more.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Middle East Conflict

Trump urges Israel's president to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu

Three astronauts remain stuck in space after their return capsule was damaged by orbital debris—delaying their journey home.

Beijing

Three Chinese astronauts stranded in space after capsule damage

The former first lady of Gabon and her son were being tried in absentia on various corruption charges.

Libreville

Gabon ex-first lady sentenced to 20 years in jail for embezzlement

Online platforms will ping Australian teenagers through over a million accounts in coming days offering a choice: download data, freeze profiles or lose the lot when a world-first ban on kids using social media starts on December 10. TikTok, Snapchat, Meta, Instagram and Threads are poised to deactivate accounts registered by users under 16, according to insiders.

Council of the City of Sydney

Big Tech starts complying with Australia's teen social media ban

Protesters stormed the COP30 climate conference in Brazil, clashing with security and overshadowing discussions earlier in the day California Gov. Gavin Newsom slamming America’s current stance on climate change.

Protesters storm into COP30 climate conference in Brazil

ByHeart is recalling all batches of its baby formula products after at least 15 infants were sickened. Dr. Steven Abrams, professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas at Austin, joins CBS News to discuss how parents can keep their children safe.

ByHeart recalls baby formula amid growing botulism outbreak

Israel’s parliament has passed the first reading of a bill that would introduce the death penalty for “terrorism”.

Jerusalem

Israel parliament passes first reading of death penalty for ‘terrorism’ law

The super typhoon has left devastation in the Philippines just days after another typhoon killed 232 people.

Cebu City

Typhoon Fung-wong leaves Philippines with ten dead, millions displaced

A Turkish C-130 military cargo plane with at least 20 personnel on board crashed in Georgia after taking off from Azerbaijan. Authorities reported an unspecified number of casualties and said rescue workers were headed to the site.

Sighnaghi Municipality

Turkish military plane crashes in Georgia

A car bomb rocked Islamabad, Pakistan resulting in 12 deaths and 27 injuries, just one day after a car exploded in New Delhi, India. Authorities in both countries are investigating the incidents as possible terrorist attacks.

Islamabad

Bomb rocks Pakistan's capital one day after car explosion in India

Drone strikes were reported in several Ukrainian cities, as fighting rages on the frontline with Russian forces closing in on the key city of Pokrovsk.

Odesa

Ukraine Invasion

Russian drones hit energy sites in Ukraine's Odesa

Local television channels report that at least 20 people have been wounded in blast near the Lal Quila underground metro station.

New Delhi

Indian police invoke ‘terrorism’ law after Delhi blast kills nine

The Senate passed a bill on Monday night to end the government shutdown, bringing Congress one step closer to ending the impasse. CBS News political reporter Hunter Woodall has the latest.

Senate passes bill to end shutdown, sending it to house

The COP30 climate conference kicked off in Belém, Brazil, with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pushing back against climate deniers even though a discussion of reduced reliance on fossil fuels isn’t on the agenda.

Brazil’s president pushes back against climate deniers to start COP30

President Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa at the White House as ties between the U.S. and Syria appear to strengthen. CBS News' Imtiaz Tyab reports.

Breakdown