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About the 3I/ATLAS Live Tracker

This interactive 3D model provides a real-time simulation of the trajectory of Comet 3I/ATLAS (C/2025 N1) as it travels through our inner solar system. It also shows the current positions of Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

What is 3I/ATLAS?

3I/ATLAS is the third interstellar object ever detected passing through our solar system. Discovered on July 1, 2025, its name signifies its status as the "Third Interstellar" object, with "ATLAS" referring to the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System that first detected it. Unlike objects from our own solar system, 3I/ATLAS is not gravitationally bound to our sun. It is on a one-way trip, offering a rare and exciting opportunity for scientists to study a pristine relic from another star system.

How to Use the Tracker

• Rotate: Click and drag (or use one finger on mobile) to rotate the camera around the solar system.
• Zoom: Use your mouse scroll wheel (or pinch with two fingers on mobile) to zoom in and out.
• Time Controls: Use the buttons in the top-left panel to switch between real-time and accelerated time to see the comet and planets move along their orbits.

About the Simulation

The positions of the planets and the comet are calculated using a **2-body model** based on Keplerian mechanics. This model considers only the gravitational influence of the Sun on each object, which is highly accurate for this type of visualization. The orbital elements for the planets and Comet 3I/ATLAS are sourced from NASA's JPL Small-Body Database. The simulation is built using the Three.js library for 3D rendering.