---
title: "Comet \"Tales\""
description: Comet 3(I) Atlas offers a rare look at an interstellar visitor and invites reflection on creation, science, and the wonders of our Solar System.
---

[Science-blog ](https://blog.atriresearch.org/science-blog)

# [Comet "Tales"](https://blog.atriresearch.org/science-blog/comet-tales)

 Written by [Jim Virkler](https://blog.atriresearch.org/science-blog/author/jim-virkler) | Dec 5, 2025 1:30:39 AM

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## Discovery of Comet 3(I) Atlas

An unusual astronomical event has captured our attention—a visit by a special comet entitled 3(I) Atlas, first spotted in July 2025. The letter “I” indicates its interstellar origin, while the numeral 3 tells us it is only the third interstellar comet ever detected. Atlas is the name of the survey telescope used to discover it.

 

## What Comets Are Made Of

Comets are composed of frozen gases, dust particles, and sometimes small rock fragments. They are infrequent visitors to our region of the Solar System. Sometimes they are referred to as “frozen snowballs.” They are set in motion by the force of gravity from another passing body. Sometimes they hurtle toward our Solar System and become visible when the sun heats their frozen gases. The comet forms a *coma* surrounding its nucleus. It also sprouts a *tail* as it comes closer to radiation from the Sun. The appearance of a comet is a rare visual treat.

## Where Comets Originate

Comets originate from two regions—the Kuiper Belt, and the Oort Cloud. The Kuiper Belt is the source of *short term* comets. It is a region that begins at the orbit of Neptune and continues somewhat beyond the orbit of former planet Pluto. The Oort Cloud is much more distant and much larger. Astrophysicists believe the Oort Cloud may host up to a trillion *long term* comets. The Oort Cloud is still considered part of our Solar System. Depending on various estimates, 6000 or more comets have been observed and catalogued.

## Significance of an Interstellar Comet

Until 2017, all visible comets were believed to originate within our own Solar System. In 2017 and 2019 the first two extra-solar comets were detected which formed beyond our Solar System. The comet 3(I) Atlas has generated considerable excitement. It came from a star system a great distance from our Solar System.

## Comets in the Context of the Solar System

Our Solar System hosts a star surrounded by planets, their moons, and other bodies, including comets and asteroids. Our home galaxy, the Milky Way, is a spiral galaxy composed of over 100 billion stars.

## Miracles and the Formation of the Universe

Stars, planets, satellites, asteroids, comets, and many other objects in our universe have been formed or modified by thousands of *transformational* miracles. Our Science/Faith blog has often categorized three type of miracles: ***transcendent, transformational, and sustaining.*** Genesis 1:1 speaks about a transcendent miracle—the creation of “the heavens and the earth.” At that instant, **MATTER, ENERGY, SPACE,** and **TIME** were brought into existence. A helpful discussion of different types of miracles can be found in our 11/13/2017 post. Here is a link to that post:

[https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2017/11/our-miracle-immersed-planet.html](https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2017/11/our-miracle-immersed-planet.html)

## Scientific Interpretation of Comet 3(I) Atlas

Comet 3(I) Atlas formed in the region surrounding a neighboring star. There were a few breathless “experts” who speculated the comet was an example of alien technology. Currently, experts pronounce Comet 3(I) Atlas to be a natural phenomenon, not the product of intelligent visitors from an alien world. The nearest star in our Milky Way galaxy is four light years away, an enormous distance within our 100,000 light-year wide galaxy. Our Solar System, including our home on Planet Earth is composed of matter miraculously *transformed* by our timeless, omnipotent Creator since His initial ***transcendent*** creation of “the heavens and the earth.” Comets of all types help us discover the story of creation.

## The Journey of Comet 3(I) Atlas

Comet 3(I) Atlas has already passed our Sun and is headed away from our Solar System to continue its journey of billions of years. It is not a periodic comet and it will never return to our cosmic neighborhood. We trust this post inspires readers to study related theological and scientific issues triggered by the arrival of 3(I) Atlas. Extensive web articles supply fascinating detail about our cosmic visitor.

## Go Deeper

- [Relying on The Constant Companionship of The Holy Spirit – Package Offer Video Download Full Series](https://atriresearchresources.org/product/relying-on-the-constant-companionship-of-the-holy-spirit-package-offer-video-download-full-series/)
- [Inspiring Faith in Your Children and Grandchildren – Package Offer](https://atriresearchresources.org/product/inspiring-faith-in-your-children-and-grandchildren-package-offer/)
- [The Evidence for the Historical Jesus – Updated Edition](https://atriresearchresources.org/product/the-evidence-for-the-historical-jesus-updated-edition/)

[View full post](https://blog.atriresearch.org/science-blog/comet-tales)

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