Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS to Leave Solar System: Watch Live

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is gaining attention as it speeds away from the Sun on a path that will take it out of our solar system. On November 16, 2025, skywatchers can catch a glimpse of its journey through a livestream hosted by the Virtual Telescope Project. The broadcast will begin at 11:15 p.m. Eastern Time (04:15 GMT on November 17) and will feature stunning imagery captured by robotic telescopes located in Manciano, Italy.

This event provides a unique opportunity to observe an interstellar object as it departs our cosmic neighborhood. 3I/ATLAS was first identified on July 1, 2025, and quickly confirmed as the third interstellar object detected within our solar system. Its unusual trajectory distinguishes it from comets originating in the Oort Cloud or Kuiper Belt, solidifying its status as a visitor from beyond.

The comet reached perihelion, its closest approach to the Sun, on October 30, 2025. Since then, it has emerged from the Sun’s glare and is visible to ground-based telescopes once again. On November 11, Gianluca Masi, founder of the Virtual Telescope Project, captured striking images of 3I/ATLAS. His photographs showcased the comet’s glowing central coma and a lengthening ion tail, shaped by the solar wind as it continues its escape from the solar system.

Currently, 3I/ATLAS can be seen rising above the eastern horizon in the hours before dawn, moving through the constellation Virgo. With a magnitude of +10.9, it is too faint to be seen with the naked eye, but amateur astronomers using small telescopes should be able to detect its diffuse glow against the backdrop of surrounding stars.

For those without access to telescopes, the Virtual Telescope Project’s livestream offers the best chance to witness this rare interstellar traveler. The broadcast will provide real-time views and expert commentary, allowing audiences worldwide to follow the comet’s significant journey as it moves away from the Sun.

Interstellar objects like 3I/ATLAS are exceptionally rare. Before this comet, only two others had been confirmed: 1I/ʻOumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019. Each of these objects has contributed valuable insights into the composition and dynamics of materials originating from outside our solar system. The imminent departure of 3I/ATLAS highlights the fleeting nature of such encounters, making this livestream a significant opportunity for both scientists and astronomy enthusiasts.

As astronomy continues to captivate the public, the chance to witness a visitor from another star system offers a unique perspective on our place in the universe. The livestream on November 16 represents not just an event for observation, but a moment to engage with the cosmos and reflect on the mysteries that lie beyond our reach.