Comet 3I/ATLAS's Mysterious Anti-Tail Puzzles Scientists Nearing Earth

• Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to Earth on December 19, 2025, at 268.9 million km, posing no risk.
• Astronomers are observing a mysterious "anti-tail" on 3I/ATLAS, which extends sunward, defying typical comet behavior.
• This unusual anti-tail has been consistently visible since July, challenging explanations related to viewing angles.
• Scientists are proposing new theories, including sunlight scattering off icy fragments or unusual non-gravitational forces, to explain the anti-tail.
• Upcoming Hubble analysis is expected to shed more light on the phenomenon before the comet leaves the inner solar system.

Why It Matters: Rare comet 3I/ATLAS challenges long-held comet theories.