3I/ATLAS: Experience Celestial Events with Big Bend After Dark
3I/Atlas Update: December 18, 2025 | Big Bend, Texas.
Tomorrow morning, December 19, a rare visitor from beyond our solar system reaches its closest approach to Earth, the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. While this cosmic traveler won’t be visible to the naked eye, it offers an extraordinary opportunity for telescope users, astrophotographers, and curious night-sky explorers to witness an object that formed around another star.
At Big Bend After Dark, moments like this remind us why the Big Bend region is one of the best places in the world to experience the night sky.
So what is 3I/ATLAS?
3I/ATLAS is only the third known interstellar object ever discovered passing through our solar system. Unlike typical comets that orbit the Sun in predictable paths, 3I/ATLAS follows a hyperbolic trajectory, meaning it originated outside our solar system and will never return once it departs.
Discovered earlier this year by the ATLAS survey, this comet is made of ancient ice and dust that likely formed billions of years ago around a distant star. As it travels through our solar system, sunlight heats its nucleus, releasing gas and dust that form a faint glowing coma. This glow is the hallmark of an active comet.
Observing 3I/ATLAS isn’t just stargazing; it’s witnessing material from another solar system passing through our cosmic backyard.
Tomorrow morning, December 19, skywatchers have a rare opportunity: 3I/Atlas reaches its closest approach to Earth. While this object won’t be visible to the naked eye, it represents something truly special in modern astronomy. At approximately 1 a.m. EST (06:00 GMT) on December 19, 3I/ATLAS will pass within about 1.8 astronomical units of Earth which is roughly 170 million miles (270 million km) away. That’s close in cosmic terms, but still safely distant and far too faint for unaided eyes. Space+1
Although the comet isn’t threatening — and it won’t become bright enough to rival stars — its interstellar origin makes this event an extraordinary chance to collect data and observe an object that formed around another star. European Space Agency
So will Earthlings be able to see 3I/Atlas?
How about with some binoculars? Unfortunately no, not this time. 3I Atlas is far too faint. But with a telescope and some dark night skies, you might be able to spot the faint interstellar visitor. For the best chance of spotting 3I/Atlas from Big Bend, you’ll need:
A large telescope (10” Dobsonian or larger recommended)
A Smart Telescope like a Dwarf, Seestar, Origin, Etc
Dark skies with minimal light pollution
Motorized Mounts or experience with manually pointing larger telescopes
Found near the Constellation of Leo in the pre dawn hours
This is not a “wow factor” object visually. It will appear as a very faint, star-like smudge. The excitement comes from knowing what you’re looking at rather than how it looks.
My advice would be to get out there and try to capture it with whatever telescope or astrophotography equipment you have!
Can You Watch It Online?
Yes! If your local weather doesn’t cooperate or your telescope isn’t powerful enough, there are live streams and online coverage available. Projects like the Virtual Telescope Project often host free livestreams of 3I/ATLAS around its closest approach. Space
Livestream times vary with time zone, but many begin late on December 18 or early December 19 — check live telescope feed schedules for exact start times.
Why Big Bend Is the Perfect Place to Observe
Big Bend is part of the Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, one of the darkest and most pristine night-sky regions in North America. With minimal light pollution, dry desert air, and expansive horizons, this region allows faint objects like 3I/ATLAS to stand out—objects that would be completely lost in brighter skies.
Here, the Milky Way casts shadows, zodiacal light is visible, and interstellar visitors become attainable targets rather than abstract news headlines.
Experience It with Big Bend After Dark
At Big Bend After Dark, we specialize in turning rare celestial events into unforgettable experiences. Our guided dark-sky tours and stargazing adventures are designed to help you truly understand and connect with it.
During special celestial events like the 3I/ATLAS flyby, we:
Provide guided telescope viewing
Explain the science and story behind what you’re seeing
Offer live astrophotography demonstrations
Help guests navigate the night sky with confidence
Whether you’re a first-time stargazer or a seasoned astrophotographer, our experiences are tailored to meet you under some of the darkest skies on Earth.
Why Interstellar Objects Matter
3I/ATLAS isn’t just a visitor; it’s a scientific treasure.
Studying interstellar comets helps astronomers:
Understand the composition of distant star systems.
Compare chemical signatures against solar system comets.
Test models of how comets evolve after leaving their birth systems. European Space Agency
Each interstellar object gives researchers a rare glimpse into materials and conditions that shaped planets and ice giants far beyond our own neighborhood.
If you are in the Big Bend Region, don’t miss this once in a lifetime encounter! 3I/ATLAS’s closest approach won’t ever happen again. Whether you’re a seasoned astrophotographer or a beginner with a telescope, this weekend offers a perfect opportunity to connect with the broader galaxy and you might just witness an alien visitor streak through our skies. Set your alarms for December 19, 2025, point those telescopes eastward before dawn, and get ready to observe one of the Milky Way's most fascinating travelers.
Clear Skies,
Tres Morris
Big Bend After Dark
