Astronomers are preparing for a rare cosmic event on January 22, when interstellar object 3I/ATLAS will align closely with Earth and the Sun, passing within just 0.69 degrees of the Sun-Earth axis.

The other two known interstellar comets did not offer such an opportunity.

Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb explains why Jan. 22’s rare “full moon phase” alignment was so significant for 3I/ATLAS.

3I/ATLAS will enter a rare opposition phase, aligning on the axial path of Earth and Sun on Jan 22 (EST) or Jan 23 at 5 am ...