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A newly discovered mysterious comet that resembles the famous interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is currently racing through the solar system and is expected to make its closest approach to Earth this week.

First spotted earlier this month, the comet has now gained attention for its rare path and origin. Despite sensational claims online, experts affirm that the comet poses no threat to Earth; it is expected to safely pass by at a distance of about 64 million miles (103 million kilometers), roughly 270 times farther than the Moon.

Discovered Earlier This Month

The comet, officially named C/2025 V1 (Borisov), was discovered by Crimean amateur astronomer Gennadiy Borisov, who previously discovered the interstellar comet 2I/Borisov in 2019.

Reports of the discovery have been submitted to the Minor Planet Center, the official body in charge of tracking the comets and asteroids in our solar system. The object has also been catalogued by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California, confirming its position and trajectory moving through the inner solar system.

Astronomers Note ‘Nearly Interstellar’ Characteristics

While C/2025 V1 is believed to have originated from the Oort Cloud, a distant region filled with icy bodies surrounding our solar system, its orbit has sparked curiosity.

According to Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, the comet’s highly inclined orbit, at nearly 113 degrees, is “nearly interstellar” in nature. Writing on Medium, Loeb said that the object’s path is unusually steep compared to most solar system comets and lacks the typical glowing tail.

“The trajectory is interestingly similar to interstellar objects, but the data so far suggest it likely formed within our own solar system,” Loeb wrote.

The comet’s discovery comes just as 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar object first observed earlier this year, re-emerged from behind the Sun. Some online discussions and tabloid reports have suggested the two may be connected, or even part of a “mothership-probe” theory.

However, scientists have firmly dismissed these claims. Loeb, who once explored the possibility of extraterrestrial technology behind 3I/ATLAS, clarified that C/2025 V1 has no physical or orbital connection with it. “The two are separated by more than 140 million miles, which rules out any direct relation,” he noted.

Safe flyby Expected This Week

According to USA Today, the comet is on track to pass Earth safely before reaching its closest point to the Sun (perihelion) on November 16. Astronomers emphasize that it poses no danger to the planet. “While its motion and orbit are interesting, C/2025 V1 will pass by at a very safe distance,” noted a researcher from NASA’s JPL. “It’s another reminder of how dynamic our solar system is — and how much we still have to learn about the icy bodies traveling within it.”

ALSO READ: Did You Know? This Oldest Interstellar Comet Was Born Before Earth, Mars And Even Sun Existed

For skywatchers, the comet is too faint to be seen with the naked eye, with an apparent magnitude of around 13.8. Observers using high-powered telescopes or binoculars may spot it before sunrise in the constellation Virgo, according to TheSkyLive.com.

ALSO READ: Alien Activity Caused Comet 31/ATLAS To Lose Its Tail? Viral Theory Explained As Object Fades After Perihelion

This discovery has reignited excitement about interstellar visitors; comets like C/2025 V1 also serve as important reminders of how dynamic and vast our solar system remains.

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