New Delhi, Dec. 19 -- Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is making its closest approach to Earth tonight, 19 December, drawing attention from astronomers worldwide. The comet is a very rare space object that came from outside our solar system. It is only the third interstellar visitor ever seen by scientists.

The comet was discovered on 1 July by NASA-funded ATLAS telescopes in Chile. Soon after its discovery, scientists confirmed that its unusual speed and path showed it came from another star system. Before 3I/ATLAS, only two interstellar objects had been identified: 1I/'Oumuamua in 2017 and comet 2I/Borisov in 2019, Space.com reported.

Despite the excitement, the comet will keep a safe distance from our planet. According to the European Spa...