3I/ATLAS on Hyperbolic trajectory: Is the Interstellar comet moving too fast towards Earth? What has NASA said about its journey

3I/ATLAS, the interstellar comet, has generated a huge amount of interest among scientists ever since it was discovered by NASA. Multiple theories and claims about the comet have been doing the rounds related to its shape, size and color, among other things.

The interstellar comet 3I/Atlas was discovered by NASA’s ATLAS telescope on July 1, 2025. It is the third observed interstellar object to ever enter our solar system. Among all the claims by the American space agency and scientists, including Harvard scientist and astrophysicist Avi Loeb, NASA explained how it was determined that the interstellar comet did not originate in our solar system.

3I/ATLAS: How was it determined that the comet didn’t originate in our solar system

According to the space agency, observations of the comet’s trajectory show that it is moving too fast to be bound by the Sun’s gravity and that it is on a hyperbolic trajectory.

“In other words, it does not follow a closed orbital path around the Sun. It is simply passing through our solar system and will continue its journey into interstellar space, never to be seen again,” NASA said.

Is 3I/ATLAS moving too fast towards earth?

NASA has confirmed that 3I/ATLAS, the third observed interstellar object to ever enter our solar system, poses no danger to Earth. It will continue to move safely through the Solar System without approaching close enough to impact our planet. Loeb recently claimed that there is a 40% chance the comet is alien technology and he had also said that the non-gravitational acceleration of the comet might be due to an internal engine that is driving it.

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Scientists will continue monitoring its motion, color, and brightness in the coming months to determine whether 3I/ATLAS is a natural object or an artificial visitor.

What is Hyperbolic trajectory

A hyperbolic trajectory is a path followed by an object in free fall that approaches a celestial body and is characterized by a hyperbola, according to Science Direct. It typically occurs during the object's passage through the sphere of influence of that body.

What is Hyperbolic orbits

According to Science Direct, Hyperbolic orbits are trajectories characterized by a hyperbola, where the total energy is positive and the eccentricity is greater than unity.