What Is 3I/ATLAS — and Why Is It Called That?

Every so often, the universe reminds us how vast—and mysterious—it really is. 3I/ATLAS is one of those reminders.

So… what is 3I/ATLAS?

3I/ATLAS is an interstellar object, meaning it didn’t originate in our solar system. It formed around another star entirely and is now passing through our cosmic neighborhood before continuing its journey back into deep space.

Only a handful of objects like this have ever been identified, making each discovery a huge deal for astronomers and stargazers alike.

Why is it called 3I/ATLAS?

The name actually tells a full story:

• “3I” stands for the third Interstellar object ever confirmed

  • 1I was ʻOumuamua (2017)

  • 2I was Borisov (2019)

  • 3I is the latest visitor from beyond our solar system

• “ATLAS” refers to the discovery system:
  ATLAS, short for Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System.
  ATLAS is a network of powerful telescopes designed to scan the skies nightly for fast-moving objects—asteroids, comets, and now… interstellar travelers.

Put together, 3I/ATLAS literally means:

“The third interstellar object discovered by the ATLAS system.”

Why does 3I/ATLAS matter?

Interstellar objects are cosmic time capsules. They carry information about:

• How planets form around other stars

• What materials exist beyond our solar system

• How common (or rare) planetary systems like ours may be

Unlike planets or moons we can only study from afar, objects like 3I/ATLAS come to us—briefly—giving scientists a rare chance to observe alien material up close.

Why the UFO Pointer community cares

At UFO Pointer, we live for moments like this. Discoveries such as 3I/ATLAS remind us that:

• The night sky is active, not static

• There’s always something new to look for

• You don’t need a spaceship to explore—just curiosity and the right tools

Whether you’re tracking satellites, highlighting constellations, or pointing out rare cosmic visitors, the sky always has a story waiting to be discovered.

Point. Spot. Discover. 🚀✨