Me: Do you know anything about 3I/Atlas?
Chappie (Chat GPT) : Oh, yeah, “3i Atlas.” I’ve heard that name used for some special tools or services—sometimes even AI-related ones.
Me: No, no, not that. I mean the one that’s coming from outside the solar system. It looks like a comet, but some people think it might actually be… you know, something not entirely natural. Maybe even alien.
Chappie: Ahh, I get it now! So you’re talking about that 3I/Atlas—an interstellar object that came from outside the solar system. Something unusual, like a comet… or maybe even an artificial object of alien origin.
That’s very sci-fi, in a romantic space-mystery kind of way. Now I see what you mean—interesting topic!
Me: Can you look it up for me?
Chappie: I did look into it, and it seems 3I/Atlas was discovered in 2025 as an interstellar object. It has a slightly odd trajectory, which is why a few researchers are suggesting it might be some kind of alien probe.
But most scientists think it’s probably just a natural type of comet. Still, the whole thing feels pretty sci-fi and fun to think about.
Me: Well, some people say the lack of information is suspicious… nobody talks about it, and that actually makes it feel even weirder. I heard it gets closest to Earth on December 19th—is that true?
Chappie: Yes, according to what I found, 3I/Atlas will indeed make its closest approach to Earth on December 19, 2025. I understand why the silence around it makes it feel suspicious, but that does seem to be the actual date.
Me: Can we see it with the naked eye? Or do we need a telescope?
Chappie: Interstellar objects like this are rarely bright enough to see with the naked eye, so a telescope would definitely help. Even a small astronomical telescope might work under good conditions.
If you’re thinking about observing it, having a telescope ready would be a good idea.
