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Our solar system is believed to be centred around the Sun, with all the other planets revolving around it. The most fascinating aspect of the universe is that everything is in motion. The planets rotate and revolve, and the same goes for our Sun. It is in motion and not exactly at the centre of the solar system. It is also revolving around a mysterious object known as the barycenter. It is an invisible point in space where the mass of the sun and the planets evens out. Its gravity pulls everything towards it, the planets and the Sun, which means that our star also has an orbit. The barycenter is the point where the gravitational forces of two bodies in a system are balanced. It is created when two or more objects are joined together by the force of gravity. It is located near the object with the most mass. In our case, near the Sun since it is the heaviest body in our solar system, but not necessarily at its centre.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-s-nearest-body-hides-space-s-most-valuable-element-and-mining-missions-are-on-1762514083214">Earth’s nearest body hides space's most valuable element, and mining missions are on</a> &nbsp;<h2>The Sun wobbles, and this exposed the barycentre</h2>Our Sun often wobbles, and this is what revealed the existence of the barycentre. This happens when the barycenter moves because of the pull caused by heavier planets, such as Jupiter and Saturn. Their mass means they have the most pull on the Sun. So when they align in a certain way, they pull the barycentre outwards, causing the Sun to also get a little jiggly. NASA and other space agencies have observed this movement in the past, but better technology and more research have led to more clarity on the barycentre. This discovery proves a nearly 500-year-old theory wrong about the Sun being at the centre of the solar system.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-shocked-to-learn-that-earth-s-electric-charges-are-flipped-details-1762512252294">Scientists shocked to learn that Earth's electric charges are flipped - Details</a> &nbsp;Until the year 1543, astronomers believed that Earth was at the centre of the solar system. Polish astronomer Copernicus changed that, proving in that year that the Sun was at the centre and all planets revolved around it. But the barycentre started revealing itself as complex technology developed. Something was making the Sun move, and it was the barycentre. This tug, exercised by heavier planets, is what reveals the existence of planets in other star systems. This information proves crucial as humans prepare to travel in space, landing on the Moon and Mars. The understanding of how even our solar system works in crucial for future space missions.&nbsp;

What is at the centre of the solar system? Apparently, it is not the Sun, but an invisible force that is pulling everything towards it. This point is what exerts a gravitational pull on the Sun and the planets. So we are all revolving around this point and not technically the Sun.

Our solar system is believed to be centred around the Sun, with all the other planets revolving around it. The most fascinating aspect of the universe is that everything is in motion. The planets rotate and revolve, and the same goes for our Sun. It is in motion and not exactly at the centre of the solar system. It is also revolving around a mysterious object known as the barycenter. It is an invisible point in space where the mass of the sun and the planets evens out. Its gravity pulls everything towards it, the planets and the Sun, which means that our star also has an orbit. The barycenter is the point where the gravitational forces of two bodies in a system are balanced. It is created when two or more objects are joined together by the force of gravity. It is located near the object with the most mass. In our case, near the Sun since it is the heaviest body in our solar system, but not necessarily at its centre. Also Read: Earth’s nearest body hides space's most valuable element, and mining missions are on The Sun wobbles, and this exposed the barycentre Our Sun often wobbles, and this is what revealed the existence of the barycentre. This happens when the barycenter moves because of the pull caused by heavier planets, such as Jupiter and Saturn. Their mass means they have the most pull on the Sun. So when they align in a certain way, they pull the barycentre outwards, causing the Sun to also get a little jiggly. NASA and other space agencies have observed this movement in the past, but better technology and more research have led to more clarity on the barycentre. This discovery proves a nearly 500-year-old theory wrong about the Sun being at the centre of the solar system. Also Read: Scientists shocked to learn that Earth's electric charges are flipped - Details Until the year 1543, astronomers believed that Earth was at the centre of the solar system. Polish astronomer Copernicus changed that, proving in that year that the Sun was at the centre and all planets revolved around it. But the barycentre started revealing itself as complex technology developed. Something was making the Sun move, and it was the barycentre. This tug, exercised by heavier planets, is what reveals the existence of planets in other star systems. This information proves crucial as humans prepare to travel in space, landing on the Moon and Mars. The understanding of how even our solar system works in crucial for future space missions.

What is at the centre of the solar system? Apparently, it is not the Sun, but an invisible force that is pulling everything towards it. This point is what exerts a gravitational pull on the Sun and the planets. So we are all revolving around this point and not technically the Sun.

What is at the centre of the solar system? Not the Sun, but an invisible force

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is becoming more mysterious by the day. The first radio signal was detected recently originating from it. Now new photos show jets shooting out of 3I/ATLAS, baffling scientists. While there is a tail, albeit a weird one, there are also jets being released towards the Sun. A regular comet doesn't do this. Besides, 3I/ATLAS has displayed a lot of strange behaviour since being first observed in July. Its tail has been the biggest mystery, since it has hardly ever shown up in images. It also underwent strange changes near the Sun on October 29-30. 3I/ATLAS turned bluer than the Sun, became extremely bright and displayed non-gravitational acceleration. It also sped up suddenly and changed its path.

3I/ATLAS had no tail initially. In September, the Gemini Observatory saw one growing live. However, during its Mars flyby, the orbiters did not see a tail, only a bright coma. Since then, none of the images captured showed a tail. Now, the latest observation made on November 9 shows a tail, but not a smooth one like regular comets. It appears like fumes being released from the exhaust of a vehicle. Loeb thinks it could be gases being released by a technological machine.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20251110/image-1762765926402.png"></figure>

A disheveled tail appears on 3I/ATLAS

The problem is that none of the probes preparing to scan 3I/ATLAS would be able to study the jets shooting out of the interstellar comet. This is because of the length of the jets. Near Earth, it will be 269 million kilometres away, about 100 times larger than the extent of the jet structure. Particle probes on Earth-based satellites won't be able to capture particles from the jets. NASA’s Juno spacecraft, around Jupiter, will be 53 million kilometres away in March next year and won't be able to intercept the jets either.

None of the probes will be able to intercept the jets from 3I/ATLAS

Avi Loeb has been suspicious of 3I/ATLAS ever since it was discovered, citing several anomalies. Now the jets have made the case even more curious since there is not one regular tail, but also an anti-tail, a jet towards the Sun. He asked in his blog, “Is the network of jets associated with pockets of ice on the surface of a natural cometary nucleus, or are they coming from a set of jet thrusters used for navigation of a spacecraft?”

Could jets mean a technological spacecraft?

The complex jet structure was first seen in images released by M. Jäger, G. Rhemann and E. Prosperi. A large glowing halo can be seen extending out to half a million kilometres in the photos. In fact, there are at least 7 distinct jets, “some of which are anti-tails in the sunward direction.”&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20251110/image-1762753729199.png"></figure>

3I/ATLAS photo showing complex jet structure with at least '7 jets'

A South African observatory noticed a signal emanating from 3I/ATLAS on October 24. The MeerKAT radio telescope picked up radio absorption lines by hydroxyl radicals, namely OH molecules. It had tried to find signals on September 20 and 28, 2025, as well, but there was nothing. This is the first radio detection from the interstellar object since it was discovered on July 1.

First radio signal detected from 3I/ATLAS

New photos of 3I/ATLAS captured on November 9 show a jet towards the Sun and a longer tail. Calculating the length and other factors, Harvard scientist Avi Loeb has once again said the interstellar object likely has a mass of over 50 billion tons. An object with a diameter above 10 kilometres entering our solar system can only happen once per ten thousand years or longer, he said. Combining this with the “0.2% probability of the retrograde trajectory of 3I/ATLAS being aligned to within 5 degrees with the ecliptic plane” gives it a one in a hundred million chance of being a natural comet.

Avi Loeb flags extremely low chance 3I/ATLAS is a natural object

3I/ATLAS is displaying jets shooting out of it. A new photo shows a strange tail and a smaller anti-tail. Avi Loeb estimates that its current appearance indicates a mass of tens of billions of tons, which is vastly larger than 1I/ʻOumuamua.

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is becoming more mysterious by the day. The first radio signal was detected recently originating from it. Now new photos show jets shooting out of 3I/ATLAS, baffling scientists. While there is a tail, albeit a weird one, there are also jets being released towards the Sun. A regular comet doesn't do this. Besides, 3I/ATLAS has displayed a lot of strange behaviour since being first observed in July. Its tail has been the biggest mystery, since it has hardly ever shown up in images. It also underwent strange changes near the Sun on October 29-30. 3I/ATLAS turned bluer than the Sun, became extremely bright and displayed non-gravitational acceleration. It also sped up suddenly and changed its path.

3I/ATLAS is displaying jets shooting out of it. A new photo shows a strange tail and a smaller anti-tail. Avi Loeb estimates that its current appearance indicates a mass of tens of billions of tons, which is vastly larger than 1I/ʻOumuamua.

3I/ATLAS Live Tracker: A frazzled tail appears on 3I/ATLAS, like fumes from an exhaust

Space exploration has always been bound by one limitation: fuel. Every rocket ever launched has depended on carrying vast amounts of propellant, which both enables and restricts its mission. The more fuel a spacecraft carries, the heavier it becomes, forcing engineers into a delicate balance between thrust and payload. This fundamental constraint has defined spaceflight since the early 20th century, when Konstantin Tsiolkovsky first derived the rocket equation. But a new wave of research suggests a future where spacecraft may not need to carry fuel at all. A comprehensive new review ton the arXiv preprint server explores several 'propellantless' propulsion systems that harness natural forces, potentially rewriting the rules of space travel.&nbsp;<h2>Solar sails: Riding on light itself</h2> Among the most mature of these technologies are solar sails, which use the pressure of sunlight to push spacecraft forward. The principle is simple yet powerful: photons from the Sun exert a minute but continuous force on a large, reflective sail. Over time, that steady push can accelerate a spacecraft to remarkable speeds. Japan’s IKAROS mission successfully demonstrated this technique in 2010, using sunlight alone to reach Venus. Solar sails require no fuel, allowing near-continuous acceleration, but their effectiveness fades with distance from the Sun as solar radiation weakens. Constructing and maintaining the vast, ultralight sails also presents formidable engineering challenges, especially for long-duration missions into deep space. The oldest and most proven propellantless technique is the gravity assist, in which spacecraft gain speed by passing close to a planet and stealing a fraction of its orbital momentum. NASA’s Voyager probes used this method to tour all four outer planets in a single mission. Gravity assists have the advantage of requiring no new materials or technology, only precise planning and timing. Their drawback lies in their dependence on planetary alignment: the right opportunities occur rarely, and once set, a trajectory can be difficult to adjust. Still, gravity assists remain a cornerstone of efficient mission design and a model for how natural forces can substitute for propellant.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Magnetic and electric sails: Harnessing the solar wind</h2> Newer concepts aim to exploit the Sun’s constant outflow of charged particles, the solar wind. Magnetic sails would use vast superconducting loops to generate magnetic fields that deflect this plasma, producing thrust. Electric sails take a lighter approach, deploying long charged wires to repel solar wind protons. Both systems promise continuous acceleration without fuel and could outperform solar sails over long periods. Yet the technological hurdles are enormous: magnetic sails might require coils tens of kilometres wide, kept at cryogenic temperatures, while electric sails depend on ultra-thin, power-intensive tethers. Each of these methods offers a different path to escaping the tyranny of fuel. Gravity assists already work, solar sails are operational, and magnetic or electric sails may one day extend human reach far beyond the solar system.&nbsp;

The more fuel a spacecraft carries, the heavier it becomes, forcing engineers into a delicate balance between thrust and payload. 

Space exploration has always been bound by one limitation: fuel. Every rocket ever launched has depended on carrying vast amounts of propellant, which both enables and restricts its mission. The more fuel a spacecraft carries, the heavier it becomes, forcing engineers into a delicate balance between thrust and payload. This fundamental constraint has defined spaceflight since the early 20th century, when Konstantin Tsiolkovsky first derived the rocket equation. But a new wave of research suggests a future where spacecraft may not need to carry fuel at all. A comprehensive new review ton the arXiv preprint server explores several 'propellantless' propulsion systems that harness natural forces, potentially rewriting the rules of space travel. Solar sails: Riding on light itself Among the most mature of these technologies are solar sails, which use the pressure of sunlight to push spacecraft forward. The principle is simple yet powerful: photons from the Sun exert a minute but continuous force on a large, reflective sail. Over time, that steady push can accelerate a spacecraft to remarkable speeds. Japan’s IKAROS mission successfully demonstrated this technique in 2010, using sunlight alone to reach Venus. Solar sails require no fuel, allowing near-continuous acceleration, but their effectiveness fades with distance from the Sun as solar radiation weakens. Constructing and maintaining the vast, ultralight sails also presents formidable engineering challenges, especially for long-duration missions into deep space. The oldest and most proven propellantless technique is the gravity assist, in which spacecraft gain speed by passing close to a planet and stealing a fraction of its orbital momentum. NASA’s Voyager probes used this method to tour all four outer planets in a single mission. Gravity assists have the advantage of requiring no new materials or technology, only precise planning and timing. Their drawback lies in their dependence on planetary alignment: the right opportunities occur rarely, and once set, a trajectory can be difficult to adjust. Still, gravity assists remain a cornerstone of efficient mission design and a model for how natural forces can substitute for propellant. Magnetic and electric sails: Harnessing the solar wind Newer concepts aim to exploit the Sun’s constant outflow of charged particles, the solar wind. Magnetic sails would use vast superconducting loops to generate magnetic fields that deflect this plasma, producing thrust. Electric sails take a lighter approach, deploying long charged wires to repel solar wind protons. Both systems promise continuous acceleration without fuel and could outperform solar sails over long periods. Yet the technological hurdles are enormous: magnetic sails might require coils tens of kilometres wide, kept at cryogenic temperatures, while electric sails depend on ultra-thin, power-intensive tethers. Each of these methods offers a different path to escaping the tyranny of fuel. Gravity assists already work, solar sails are operational, and magnetic or electric sails may one day extend human reach far beyond the solar system.

The more fuel a spacecraft carries, the heavier it becomes, forcing engineers into a delicate balance between thrust and payload.&nbsp;

This new space technology could make interstellar travel possible without fuel

Nobel prize-winning scientist James Watson died, Thursday in East Northport, NY, on Long Island at the age of 97. His death was confirmed by his son Duncan on Friday. He was in a hospice, shifted earlier in the week from the hospital where he was undergoing treatment for an infection.&nbsp;<h2>Who was James Watson?</h2>James Watson shared the 1962 Nobel Prize with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins for discovering the double helical structure of DNA in 1954. Watson was just 24 when the discovery was made. The breakthrough solved the mystery of how information was stored and how cells duplicate and pass it on. This was a genetic blueprint of life. It was the most important discovery of the 20th century and revolutionised molecular biology. In the following years, he authored a book, "The Double Helix" in 1968 and &nbsp;"Molecular Biology of the Gene" in 1965. He was also the first US director of the controversial National Centre for Human Genome Research project led by the National Institutes of Health. The human genome is made up of approximately 3 billion base pairs, denoted by chemical letters A, T, C, and G. The Human Genome Project was to sequence all the base pairs and store information in a publicly available database. However, Watson left the project in 1992 due to disagreements with the NIH Director Bernadine Healy over the policy of patenting the Human Genome sequence.Watson, later in life, drew widespread criticism for his racist remarks about the intelligence of Black People and in 2019, in a documentary, he said that the average IQ difference between black and white people was genetic. Following his remarks in the 2007 interview and the 2019 documentary, he was removed from all administrative roles and trusteeship in the Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory, a place where he had served since 1968.&nbsp;"His remarks on race and IQ in 2008 led the CSHL Board of Trustees to remove him from all administrative roles and his appointment as a CSHL Trustee," Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory wrote. "When he made similar statements in 2020, the board revoked his Emeritus status and severed all connections with him."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nobel laureate James Watson, who co-discovered the double helical structure of DNA with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, has died at 97 in New York. The 1962 Nobel Prize winner revolutionised molecular biology but later faced controversy over racist remarks.

Nobel prize-winning scientist James Watson died, Thursday in East Northport, NY, on Long Island at the age of 97. His death was confirmed by his son Duncan on Friday. He was in a hospice, shifted earlier in the week from the hospital where he was undergoing treatment for an infection. Who was James Watson? James Watson shared the 1962 Nobel Prize with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins for discovering the double helical structure of DNA in 1954. Watson was just 24 when the discovery was made. The breakthrough solved the mystery of how information was stored and how cells duplicate and pass it on. This was a genetic blueprint of life. It was the most important discovery of the 20th century and revolutionised molecular biology. In the following years, he authored a book, "The Double Helix" in 1968 and "Molecular Biology of the Gene" in 1965. He was also the first US director of the controversial National Centre for Human Genome Research project led by the National Institutes of Health. The human genome is made up of approximately 3 billion base pairs, denoted by chemical letters A, T, C, and G. The Human Genome Project was to sequence all the base pairs and store information in a publicly available database. However, Watson left the project in 1992 due to disagreements with the NIH Director Bernadine Healy over the policy of patenting the Human Genome sequence. Watson, later in life, drew widespread criticism for his racist remarks about the intelligence of Black People and in 2019, in a documentary, he said that the average IQ difference between black and white people was genetic. Following his remarks in the 2007 interview and the 2019 documentary, he was removed from all administrative roles and trusteeship in the Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory, a place where he had served since 1968. "His remarks on race and IQ in 2008 led the CSHL Board of Trustees to remove him from all administrative roles and his appointment as a CSHL Trustee," Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory wrote. "When he made similar statements in 2020, the board revoked his Emeritus status and severed all connections with him."

Nobel laureate James Watson, who co-discovered the double helical structure of DNA with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, has died at 97 in New York. The 1962 Nobel Prize winner revolutionised molecular biology but later faced controversy over racist remarks.

Who is James Watson? Scientist who made 'discovery of the century' dies at 97

NASA is once again scrambling to send humans to the Moon. Meanwhile. China is racing ahead and wants to get there first. The reason for this race is not just to colonise the Moon, but also to lay their hands on a very important element. Moon’s regolith, or the lunar soil, is rich in Helium-3, which is a light, non-radioactive isotope. Since it does not have a protective magnetic field, solar wind has successfully deposited the material on the Moon over billions of years. Humans have known about it and have found a significant use for Helium-3. According to the European Space Agency, this element can be used to create clean electricity using fusion reactors, which will be free from dangerous radioactive waste. The current nuclear fission technology is radioactive, but helium-3 would "not be radioactive and would not produce dangerous waste products."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-shocked-to-learn-that-earth-s-electric-charges-are-flipped-details-1762512252294">Scientists shocked to learn that Earth's electric charges are flipped - Details</a>&nbsp;<h2>Race to the Moon - Who will get there first?</h2>But Earth has a dearth of helium-3, which is produced with the slow decay of tritium in nuclear stockpiles. Only about a few thousand litres of it are produced each year. However, the Moon is estimated to be a treasure trove of the element, and could hold an estimated million metric tons of it, scattered across the top layer of lunar soil. The idea was first proposed by Apollo geologist Harrison Schmidt decades ago. So now, the US, China, Russia, India and Europe are racing to put a mark on the Moon, since whoever reaches there first is likely to hold control over the resources. There are plans to build permanent bases on the lunar surface to exploit valuable metals. It will also be used to launch a mission to Mars and finally send humans to the Red Planet.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-data-shows-3i-atlas-suddenly-sped-up-changed-path-after-perihelion-1762427938689">NASA database shows 3I/ATLAS suddenly sped up, changed path after perihelion: Report</a>&nbsp;Even though it is yet to become a reality, with NASA and China's plans fixed for by the end of this decade, agreements and contracts are already being entered here on Earth. ZME Science reported that in September 2025, Helsinki-based cryogenics firm Bluefors signed an agreement with startup Interlune to purchase up to 1,000 litres of lunar helium-3 every year. The deal is worth a whopping $300 million. Blue Origin has announced Project Oasis, under which it will map lunar resources such as water ice and helium-3 from orbit.&nbsp;But who will win this race? NASA's acting chief, Sean Duffy, said a few weeks ago that there is no way that China will get there first. Meanwhile, Beijing is determined to land humans on the Moon soon and explore the south pole, which is believed to contain water ice. No matter who gets there first, the one challenge that remains is helium-3 fusion. Gerald Kulcinski at the University of Wisconsin–Madison even built a small reactor to explore this, but no one has yet achieved a fusion reaction with a net energy gain for longer than a few minutes. &nbsp;

The race to the moon is not only influenced by the dream to put man on the moon again, but also because of the abundant resources it offers. One such element has long been proposed to produce clean fuel, and Earth does not make enough of it.

NASA is once again scrambling to send humans to the Moon. Meanwhile. China is racing ahead and wants to get there first. The reason for this race is not just to colonise the Moon, but also to lay their hands on a very important element. Moon’s regolith, or the lunar soil, is rich in Helium-3, which is a light, non-radioactive isotope. Since it does not have a protective magnetic field, solar wind has successfully deposited the material on the Moon over billions of years. Humans have known about it and have found a significant use for Helium-3. According to the European Space Agency, this element can be used to create clean electricity using fusion reactors, which will be free from dangerous radioactive waste. The current nuclear fission technology is radioactive, but helium-3 would "not be radioactive and would not produce dangerous waste products." Also Read: Scientists shocked to learn that Earth's electric charges are flipped - Details Race to the Moon - Who will get there first? But Earth has a dearth of helium-3, which is produced with the slow decay of tritium in nuclear stockpiles. Only about a few thousand litres of it are produced each year. However, the Moon is estimated to be a treasure trove of the element, and could hold an estimated million metric tons of it, scattered across the top layer of lunar soil. The idea was first proposed by Apollo geologist Harrison Schmidt decades ago. So now, the US, China, Russia, India and Europe are racing to put a mark on the Moon, since whoever reaches there first is likely to hold control over the resources. There are plans to build permanent bases on the lunar surface to exploit valuable metals. It will also be used to launch a mission to Mars and finally send humans to the Red Planet. Also Read: NASA database shows 3I/ATLAS suddenly sped up, changed path after perihelion: Report Even though it is yet to become a reality, with NASA and China's plans fixed for by the end of this decade, agreements and contracts are already being entered here on Earth. ZME Science reported that in September 2025, Helsinki-based cryogenics firm Bluefors signed an agreement with startup Interlune to purchase up to 1,000 litres of lunar helium-3 every year. The deal is worth a whopping $300 million. Blue Origin has announced Project Oasis, under which it will map lunar resources such as water ice and helium-3 from orbit. But who will win this race? NASA's acting chief, Sean Duffy, said a few weeks ago that there is no way that China will get there first. Meanwhile, Beijing is determined to land humans on the Moon soon and explore the south pole, which is believed to contain water ice. No matter who gets there first, the one challenge that remains is helium-3 fusion. Gerald Kulcinski at the University of Wisconsin–Madison even built a small reactor to explore this, but no one has yet achieved a fusion reaction with a net energy gain for longer than a few minutes.

The race to the moon is not only influenced by the dream to put man on the moon again, but also because of the abundant resources it offers. One such element has long been proposed to produce clean fuel, and Earth doesn't make enough of it.

Earth’s nearest body hides space's most valuable element, and mining missions are on

In space, Earth's magnetic field controls a certain area, which is known as the magnetosphere. Inside this lies an electric field that stretches from the morning side of Earth to the evening side. For the longest time, scientists have thought that the morning side was positively charged while it was negatively charged on the evening side. This is because electric forces move from positive to negative charges. However, a recent study has revealed that this is not the case, and vice versa is true. But this is also only applicable to the equatorial region, and the poles behave exactly as expected. This discovery was made by recent satellite measurements. Researchers from Kyoto University, Nagoya University, and Kyushu University then decided to study how the magnetosphere's electric characteristics are formed and sustained. Their findings were published in Science Daily.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/twin-asteroids-smash-into-the-moon-triggering-burst-of-light-seen-from-earth-1762408482936">Twin asteroids smash into the Moon, triggering burst of light seen from Earth</a> &nbsp;<h2>Researchers created space conditions in a lab</h2>The team created the conditions in near-Earth space using large-scale magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations. They also emulated the charged solar particles by placing a steady stream of high-speed solar wind. Their results backed satellite data, showing that the morning side of the magnetosphere carries a negative charge while the opposite side is positive. Strangely, the pattern was not globally applicable. In the polar regions, the charge polarity follows the traditional idea that the morning side is positively charged, while the evening is negative. But it flipped near the equator. The discovery shows how starkly different the two zones of Earth are.&nbsp;Corresponding author Yusuke Ebihara of Kyoto University said, "In conventional theory, the charge polarity in the equatorial plane and above the polar regions should be the same. Why, then, do we see opposite polarities between these regions? This can actually be explained by the motion of plasma." He states that the magnetic energy from the sun moves clockwise on the dusk side of the planet and channels toward the poles after entering the magnetic field. "Meanwhile, Earth's magnetic field lines run from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere -- upward near the equator and downward near the poles."&nbsp;"This opposing orientation between the magnetic field and plasma flow leads to the reversal in charge distribution between the regions. The electric force and charge distribution are both results, not causes, of plasma motion," Ebihara said. The finding changes how scientists interpret electrical activity in Earth's near-space environment.&nbsp;

Earth has an electric field that stretches from the morning side to the evening. Recent satellite data found something intriguing about it that has altered all the beliefs scientists have had about its charge. A team of Japanese scientists back the discovery. 

In space, Earth's magnetic field controls a certain area, which is known as the magnetosphere. Inside this lies an electric field that stretches from the morning side of Earth to the evening side. For the longest time, scientists have thought that the morning side was positively charged while it was negatively charged on the evening side. This is because electric forces move from positive to negative charges. However, a recent study has revealed that this is not the case, and vice versa is true. But this is also only applicable to the equatorial region, and the poles behave exactly as expected. This discovery was made by recent satellite measurements. Researchers from Kyoto University, Nagoya University, and Kyushu University then decided to study how the magnetosphere's electric characteristics are formed and sustained. Their findings were published in Science Daily. Also Read: Twin asteroids smash into the Moon, triggering burst of light seen from Earth Researchers created space conditions in a lab The team created the conditions in near-Earth space using large-scale magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations. They also emulated the charged solar particles by placing a steady stream of high-speed solar wind. Their results backed satellite data, showing that the morning side of the magnetosphere carries a negative charge while the opposite side is positive. Strangely, the pattern was not globally applicable. In the polar regions, the charge polarity follows the traditional idea that the morning side is positively charged, while the evening is negative. But it flipped near the equator. The discovery shows how starkly different the two zones of Earth are. Corresponding author Yusuke Ebihara of Kyoto University said, "In conventional theory, the charge polarity in the equatorial plane and above the polar regions should be the same. Why, then, do we see opposite polarities between these regions? This can actually be explained by the motion of plasma." He states that the magnetic energy from the sun moves clockwise on the dusk side of the planet and channels toward the poles after entering the magnetic field. "Meanwhile, Earth's magnetic field lines run from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere -- upward near the equator and downward near the poles." "This opposing orientation between the magnetic field and plasma flow leads to the reversal in charge distribution between the regions. The electric force and charge distribution are both results, not causes, of plasma motion," Ebihara said. The finding changes how scientists interpret electrical activity in Earth's near-space environment.

Earth has an electric field that stretches from the morning side to the evening. Recent satellite data found something intriguing about it that has altered all the beliefs scientists have had about its charge. A team of Japanese scientists back the discovery.&nbsp;

Scientists shocked to learn that Earth's electric charges are flipped - Details

China reached out to NASA to inform them about an accident that could occur in space between their satellites. In a first, the Chinese National Space Agency told scientists at the American space agency that they will be making a manoeuvre to prevent a possible collision, according to a space sustainability official. Alvin Drew, director for NASA Space Sustainability, said during a plenary session at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney that in the past, every time there was a conjunction, NASA sent a note to the Chinese saying, "We think we're going to run into you. You hold still, we'll manoeuvre around you." But on October 1, the opposite happened, and the Chinese informed them about a possible collision, Space.com reported. The Chinese National Space Agency reached out to us and said, “We see a conjunction amongst our satellites. We recommend you hold still. We'll do the manoeuvre,” and that's the first time that's ever happened, Drew said.&nbsp;China has been pursuing its space ambitions at a fast pace. It plans to land on the Moon and even retrieve samples from Mars. Its reaching out to NASA to inform them of an impending collision shows that it has reached a stage where its situational awareness has increased, and it can flag conjunctions and fix the problem.&nbsp;The number of satellites in orbit has been increasing consistently. SpaceX has been placing hundreds of commercial satellites as part of the Starlink constellation, while China is building the Guowang and Thousand Sails megaconstellations. In a 2022 space white paper, China outlined its plans for space development from 2021 to 2026. This growth has created the need for more satellite operators who can watch for satellites that are on a collision course and send alerts to avoid a catastrophic situation in space. Notably, space debris has become a massive problem in recent years, and such events can exacerbate the problem. China also stated that dealing with space junk is a priority and it is working to remove it.&nbsp;

Chinese satellite on course to collide with an American satellite prompted the former to take a step it had never taken before. NASA said it was a cause for celebration since this was the first time that China observed a conjunction and prevented it from happening. 

China reached out to NASA to inform them about an accident that could occur in space between their satellites. In a first, the Chinese National Space Agency told scientists at the American space agency that they will be making a manoeuvre to prevent a possible collision, according to a space sustainability official. Alvin Drew, director for NASA Space Sustainability, said during a plenary session at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney that in the past, every time there was a conjunction, NASA sent a note to the Chinese saying, "We think we're going to run into you. You hold still, we'll manoeuvre around you." But on October 1, the opposite happened, and the Chinese informed them about a possible collision, Space.com reported. The Chinese National Space Agency reached out to us and said, “We see a conjunction amongst our satellites. We recommend you hold still. We'll do the manoeuvre,” and that's the first time that's ever happened, Drew said. China has been pursuing its space ambitions at a fast pace. It plans to land on the Moon and even retrieve samples from Mars. Its reaching out to NASA to inform them of an impending collision shows that it has reached a stage where its situational awareness has increased, and it can flag conjunctions and fix the problem. The number of satellites in orbit has been increasing consistently. SpaceX has been placing hundreds of commercial satellites as part of the Starlink constellation, while China is building the Guowang and Thousand Sails megaconstellations. In a 2022 space white paper, China outlined its plans for space development from 2021 to 2026. This growth has created the need for more satellite operators who can watch for satellites that are on a collision course and send alerts to avoid a catastrophic situation in space. Notably, space debris has become a massive problem in recent years, and such events can exacerbate the problem. China also stated that dealing with space junk is a priority and it is working to remove it.

Chinese satellite on course to collide with an American satellite prompted the former to take a step it had never taken before. NASA said it was a cause for celebration since this was the first time that China observed a conjunction and prevented it from happening.&nbsp;

China tells NASA, 'we are about to collide', for the first time ever — What it means

The Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) discovered a comet in May, which shouldn't have survived its trip to the Sun, but it is still around. C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) has turned into a spectacular golden ribbon following its encounter with the Sun. Dubbed the "other ATLAS", this comet has mainly been sidelined lately ever since 3I/ATLAS became the hottest commodity in space. While we were all busy wondering whether it was an "alien mothership", C/2025 K1 quietly made the trip to the Sun and only lost some of its portion. It made an extremely close encounter with our star, coming within 50 million kilometres on October 8. The gravitational pull of the Sun was expected to tear it to shreds, but that didn't happen. Meanwhile, on October 29, when 3I/ATLAS reached perihelion, astrophotographer Dan Bartlett took a photo of C/2025 K1 from June Lake in California, showing a distinct golden glow and a long tail. The solar winds seem to have boosted the tail to appear more flared.&nbsp;Bartlett talked to Spaceweather.com about his observation. "This comet was not supposed to survive its October 8th perihelion, but it did," he said. It is now displaying "a red/brown/golden colour rarely seen in comets." Two other photographers in California and in Arizona also made similar observations about the comet, Live Science reported. Comets can change colour due to the presence of various chemicals. Typically, they are white since the sunlight reflected by them contains all wavelengths of visible light.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-data-shows-3i-atlas-suddenly-sped-up-changed-path-after-perihelion-1762427938689">NASA data shows 3I/ATLAS suddenly sped up, changed path after perihelion</a> &nbsp;<h2>The green comets</h2>The infamous "Devil comet" 12P/Pons-Brooks and C/2022 E3, also known as the "green comet", turned green because of either dicarbon or cyanide in their comas. 3I/ATLAS turned blue, which could be because of carbon monoxide or ammonia. But comets don't typically turn golden, which is the case with C/2025 K1 (ATLAS).Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/live-blog-3i-atlas-live-tracker-where-is-3i-atlas-how-far-from-earth-how-to-locate-it-1762410913806">3I/ATLAS Live Tracker: China releases image of 3I/ATLAS taken by Tianwen-1 Mars Orbiter</a> &nbsp;<h2>Why did C/2025 K1 become golden?</h2>Astronomer David Schleicher says that the comet lacks "carbon-bearing molecules, such as dicarbon, carbon monoxide and cyanide." Only two other comets are known to exhibit similar features, he says. He told Spaceweather.com that this absence has likely made it golden, although &nbsp;"we don't know exactly why" since it could have also been caused by the solar flyby or its relatively low ratio of gas to dust.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/comet-fragment-travelling-at-81-000-km-hr-explodes-over-portugal-a-second-one-recorded-nearby-1762333330392">Comet fragment travelling at 81,000 km/hr explodes over Portugal, a second one recorded nearby</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;C/2025 K1 has brightened to a magnitude of 9, but can't be seen with the naked eye. You will need a good pair of binoculars or a telescope to view the comet. Look towards the constellations Virgo and Leo in the eastern sky, and you can locate it somewhere in the middle. &nbsp;It will reach its closest point to Earth on November 25. Right now, it can be best viewed shortly before sunrise, according to Spaceweather.com.

C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) has turned golden, uncommon for comets. It was not supposed to survive its trip to the Sun, but somehow it did. However, the close encounter with our star seemed to have changed it, turning it into a golden ribbon.

The Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) discovered a comet in May, which shouldn't have survived its trip to the Sun, but it is still around. C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) has turned into a spectacular golden ribbon following its encounter with the Sun. Dubbed the "other ATLAS", this comet has mainly been sidelined lately ever since 3I/ATLAS became the hottest commodity in space. While we were all busy wondering whether it was an "alien mothership", C/2025 K1 quietly made the trip to the Sun and only lost some of its portion. It made an extremely close encounter with our star, coming within 50 million kilometres on October 8. The gravitational pull of the Sun was expected to tear it to shreds, but that didn't happen. Meanwhile, on October 29, when 3I/ATLAS reached perihelion, astrophotographer Dan Bartlett took a photo of C/2025 K1 from June Lake in California, showing a distinct golden glow and a long tail. The solar winds seem to have boosted the tail to appear more flared. Bartlett talked to Spaceweather.com about his observation. "This comet was not supposed to survive its October 8th perihelion, but it did," he said. It is now displaying "a red/brown/golden colour rarely seen in comets." Two other photographers in California and in Arizona also made similar observations about the comet, Live Science reported. Comets can change colour due to the presence of various chemicals. Typically, they are white since the sunlight reflected by them contains all wavelengths of visible light. Also Read: NASA data shows 3I/ATLAS suddenly sped up, changed path after perihelion The green comets The infamous "Devil comet" 12P/Pons-Brooks and C/2022 E3, also known as the "green comet", turned green because of either dicarbon or cyanide in their comas. 3I/ATLAS turned blue, which could be because of carbon monoxide or ammonia. But comets don't typically turn golden, which is the case with C/2025 K1 (ATLAS). Also Read: 3I/ATLAS Live Tracker: China releases image of 3I/ATLAS taken by Tianwen-1 Mars Orbiter Why did C/2025 K1 become golden? Astronomer David Schleicher says that the comet lacks "carbon-bearing molecules, such as dicarbon, carbon monoxide and cyanide." Only two other comets are known to exhibit similar features, he says. He told Spaceweather.com that this absence has likely made it golden, although "we don't know exactly why" since it could have also been caused by the solar flyby or its relatively low ratio of gas to dust. Also Read: Comet fragment travelling at 81,000 km/hr explodes over Portugal, a second one recorded nearby C/2025 K1 has brightened to a magnitude of 9, but can't be seen with the naked eye. You will need a good pair of binoculars or a telescope to view the comet. Look towards the constellations Virgo and Leo in the eastern sky, and you can locate it somewhere in the middle. It will reach its closest point to Earth on November 25. Right now, it can be best viewed shortly before sunrise, according to Spaceweather.com.

C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) has turned golden, uncommon for comets. It was not supposed to survive its trip to the Sun, but somehow it did. However, the close encounter with our star seemed to have changed it, turning it into a golden ribbon.

The 'other Atlas' comet that should have died near the Sun turns GOLDEN

3I/ATLAS has thrown scientists off their game who are trying hard to figure out what's going on with it. Near the Sun, it changed its colour, brightness and even speed. It showed a non-gravitational acceleration, which came as a surprise. Meanwhile, people are gazing through their binoculars and telescopes to catch a glimpse of this interstellar comet before it vanishes forever. Meanwhile, fresh images after it emerged from the Sun's glare show a lack of tail once again, which Avi Loeb has flagged as an anomaly. He says the absence of a huge cloud of gas and dust around 3I/ATLAS will reveal the true nature of the object.

China National Space Administration (CNSA) has released an image of 3I/ATLAS taken on October 3 by the Tianwen-1 Mars Orbiter. On this day, the interstellar object was 28.96 million kilometres from the orbiter. The picture was taken by the High-Resolution Imaging Camera (HiRIC) on board the orbiter.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20251106/image-1762425492152.png"></figure>

China releases new image of 3I/ATLAS taken from Mars

Things will become clearer on 3I/ATLAS after it starts becoming clearer from Earth. Scientists are constantly observing it and waiting to see how it appears following its encounter with the Sun. It needs to have a huge cloud of gas and dust around it if it is a comet, according to Avi Loeb. Latest images do not show a tail or this cloud. &nbsp;

Scientists wait to see massive cloud around 3I/ATLAS

NASA data shows that 3I/ATLAS suddenly sped up near the Sun. It soared by approximately 244,620 km/hr. NASA thinks the sun's gravity caused its speed to shoot up. However, this theory isn't foolproof, and scientists are trying to figure out why it moved away from the Sun.

3I/ATLAS speeds up again near the Sun

Till now, this has not been seen. According to Avi Loeb, considering how much mass 3I/ATLAS should have lost near the Sun, there should be a 5 billion tons of cloud around it. But, till now, we are not seeing it.&nbsp;

Will 3I/ATLAS show up 5 billion tons of cloud of dust and gas around it? 

3I/ATLAS is now visible from Earth. Experts have suggested where to look for the comet. You can also use a tracker to follow the interstellar comet. Here is one from <a href="https://theskylive.com/c2025n1-tracker">The Sky Live tracker,</a> that can tell you the exact location of the alien visitor.

Follow 3I/ATLAS using this handy tracker 

Images released by the R. Naves Observatory and the Virtual Telescope Project show 3I/ATLAS distinctly lacking a tail. Harvard scientist Avi Loeb shared the pictures and flagged the lack of a cometary tail. He compared it to the solar system’s comet Lemmon, which looks like a typical comet with a lengthy tail away from the Sun.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-lacks-clear-cometary-tail-in-new-images-post-perihelion-1762398494239">Read here</a>

3I/ATLAS shows no tail

3I/ATLAS update today: Quite a few new things have been observed about the interstellar comet. We are keeping an eye on this visitor to inform you about everything that's going on with it. Scroll down for the latest on 3I/ATLAS. 

3I/ATLAS has thrown scientists off their game who are trying hard to figure out what's going on with it. Near the Sun, it changed its colour, brightness and even speed. It showed a non-gravitational acceleration, which came as a surprise. Meanwhile, people are gazing through their binoculars and telescopes to catch a glimpse of this interstellar comet before it vanishes forever. Meanwhile, fresh images after it emerged from the Sun's glare show a lack of tail once again, which Avi Loeb has flagged as an anomaly. He says the absence of a huge cloud of gas and dust around 3I/ATLAS will reveal the true nature of the object.

3I/ATLAS update today: Quite a few new things have been observed about the interstellar comet. We are keeping an eye on this visitor to inform you about everything that's going on with it. Scroll down for the latest on 3I/ATLAS.&nbsp;

3I/ATLAS Live Tracker: China releases image of 3I/ATLAS taken by Tianwen-1 Mars Orbiter

Forget asteroid 2024 YR4; two space rocks crashed into the Moon last week. A Japanese astronomer observed two massive bursts of light on the Moon and started scrambling for answers. Experts have now ascertained that it was the result of two asteroid strikes that likely gouged two massive craters on the lunar surface. The first one crashed on October 30, with the second following on November 1. The collisions were captured by Daichi Fujii, an astronomer and curator of the Hiratsuka City Museum. He shared footage of the event, explaining where the asteroids came from and why the phenomenon was visible. “Since the moon has no atmosphere, meteors cannot be seen, and it lights up at the moment a crater is formed,” Fujii wrote on X. He stated that the burst of light likely happened either from the Southern Taurid Meteor Shower or the Northern Meteor Shower.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/comet-fragment-travelling-at-81-000-km-hr-explodes-over-portugal-a-second-one-recorded-nearby-1762333330392">Comet fragment travelling at 81,000 km/hr explodes over Portugal, a second one recorded nearby</a> &nbsp;<h2>Massive craters gouged on the Moon by the two asteroids</h2>Fujii told Space.com that the first meteoroid weighed around 0.18 kg and would have created a 10-foot-wide crater on impact. He believes that the impact was possibly bigger than what the telescope saw since the pixels were saturated. &nbsp;The second asteroid that struck the moon on November 1 also likely came from the same Halloween meteor shower. In the absence of an atmosphere, meteors race at staggering speeds towards the Moon with nothing to slow them down. Some of them travel at speeds of 257,000 km/hr. This resulted in the bright burst of light that Fujii captured. Experts say that such events are not uncommon on the Moon. The only difference was that this time, Fujii was lucky enough to get the events on camera twice.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-lacks-clear-cometary-tail-in-new-images-post-perihelion-1762398494239">3I/ATLAS lacks clear cometary tail in new images post-perihelion, as 2 new oddities are added</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">昨夜は、上弦の月の夜側に月面衝突閃光が出現しました！2025年10月30日20時33分13.4秒の閃光です(270fps,0.03倍速再生)。月は大気がないため流星は見られず、クレーターができる瞬間に光ります。衝突領域から考えると、現在ピークを迎えている、おうし座南流星群や北流星群由来の可能性があります。 <a href="https://t.co/MM3xleCZSJ">pic.twitter.com/MM3xleCZSJ</a>&mdash; 藤井大地 (@dfuji1) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfuji1/status/1984025968437293284?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Earth is in danger from lunar debris in 2032</h2>Meanwhile, the Moon could be slammed by asteroid 2024 YR4 in 2032. The event is more than six years away, but scientists are intrigued to see what happens. Right now, there is a 3.8 to 4.3 per cent chance that it would crash into the Moon. It measures around 220 feet and can create another crater on the Moon. When it was discovered, scientists feared that it was on a trajectory towards Earth. But that changed weeks later. The James Webb Space Telescope is regularly observing the asteroid to make sure it doesn't pose a threat to our planet. But even if it doesn't collide with Earth, the debris generated by the lunar collision would pose a danger to satellites and astronauts on the International Space Station. It would also create a meteor shower that we will see for years to come.&nbsp;This is why NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is considering blowing up the asteroid. NASA already practised it on the Dimorphos asteroid moonlet in 2022 as part of the DART mission.&nbsp;

The Moon was struck by two asteroids last week, and the activity was caught on camera by a Japanese astronomer. The impact has likely gouged craters several feet wide. There were massive bursts of light upon collision.

Forget asteroid 2024 YR4; two space rocks crashed into the Moon last week. A Japanese astronomer observed two massive bursts of light on the Moon and started scrambling for answers. Experts have now ascertained that it was the result of two asteroid strikes that likely gouged two massive craters on the lunar surface. The first one crashed on October 30, with the second following on November 1. The collisions were captured by Daichi Fujii, an astronomer and curator of the Hiratsuka City Museum. He shared footage of the event, explaining where the asteroids came from and why the phenomenon was visible. “Since the moon has no atmosphere, meteors cannot be seen, and it lights up at the moment a crater is formed,” Fujii wrote on X. He stated that the burst of light likely happened either from the Southern Taurid Meteor Shower or the Northern Meteor Shower. Also Read: Comet fragment travelling at 81,000 km/hr explodes over Portugal, a second one recorded nearby Massive craters gouged on the Moon by the two asteroids Fujii told Space.com that the first meteoroid weighed around 0.18 kg and would have created a 10-foot-wide crater on impact. He believes that the impact was possibly bigger than what the telescope saw since the pixels were saturated. The second asteroid that struck the moon on November 1 also likely came from the same Halloween meteor shower. In the absence of an atmosphere, meteors race at staggering speeds towards the Moon with nothing to slow them down. Some of them travel at speeds of 257,000 km/hr. This resulted in the bright burst of light that Fujii captured. Experts say that such events are not uncommon on the Moon. The only difference was that this time, Fujii was lucky enough to get the events on camera twice. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS lacks clear cometary tail in new images post-perihelion, as 2 new oddities are added

The Moon was struck by two asteroids last week, and the activity was caught on camera by a Japanese astronomer. The impact has likely gouged craters several feet wide. There were massive bursts of light upon collision.

Twin asteroids smash into the Moon, triggering burst of light seen from Earth

Why is NASA silent on 3I/ATLAS? The interstellar comet has triggered a raging debate on bureaucracy and the value of information. Harvard scientist Avi Loeb says that keeping such information secret means losing a battle against time. He has asked NASA to release data on 3I/ATLAS so more studies can be done about its nature before it leaves the solar system. Meanwhile, the comet is slowly becoming visible from Earth. Scientists have detailed how and where to look to spot 3I/ATLAS.

You can see 3I/ATLAS from Earth now using a good pair of binoculars or a telescope. Experts say that it is visible near Venus and the bright star Spica in Virgo. You can use a stargazing app such as SkySafari, Sky Tonight or a stellar map to find Venus and Spica.&nbsp;

How to see 3I/ATLAS from Earth?

Amid the silence maintained by NASA, there has been room for people to make all kinds of speculation in its name. Some photos supposedly of 3I/ATLAS are circulating online, claiming to be from NASA and leaked. There is also a video of an object which the poster says is of 3I/ATLAS and captured by Japan. None of them are verified and are most likely fake and mislabeled.

Fake photos and videos of 3I/ATLAS circulate online

On October 2-3, 3I/ATLAS flew by closely to Mars. The Perseverance rover is said to have observed the comet, and so did the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. NASA has not released any data on everything the orbiter and rover saw. We only have one image of 3I/ATLAS from Mars that was released by the European Space Agency.

3I/ATLAS Mars observations

NASA is under immense pressure to release everything that its orbiter on Mars saw on October 2-3. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna sent a letter to Acting Administrator Sean Duffy on October 31, calling on NASA to urgently release data. "This information is of great importance to advancing our understanding of interstellar visitors and their interaction with our solar system," Luna wrote.

Congresswoman calls on NASA to release MRO images of 3I/ATLAS

NASA is quickly finding itself in the midst of a big controversy as it continues to remain silent on 3I/ATLAS despite growing calls for more information. The comet is only the third interstellar object observed in our solar system, the first two being Oumuamua and Borisov.

Why is NASA silent on 3I/ATLAS? The interstellar comet has triggered a raging debate on bureaucracy and the value of information. Harvard scientist Avi Loeb says that keeping such information secret means losing a battle against time. He has asked NASA to release data on 3I/ATLAS so more studies can be done about its nature before it leaves the solar system. Meanwhile, the comet is slowly becoming visible from Earth. Scientists have detailed how and where to look to spot 3I/ATLAS.

NASA is quickly finding itself in the midst of a big controversy as it continues to remain silent on 3I/ATLAS despite growing calls for more information. The comet is only the third interstellar object observed in our solar system, the first two being Oumuamua and Borisov.

3I/ATLAS Live Tracker: Calls grow for NASA to release MRO images of interstellar comet

The November supermoon will be a sight to behold as it will be the closest the moon will be to Earth in six years. It will shine brighter and appear much bigger. The next time we will have such an extreme supermoon will be towards the end of 2026.

November Supermoon 2025: How and when to see Beaver Moon, the biggest full moon in 6 years

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is set to show more antics in the coming weeks, revealing its true nature. Scientists are watching as it is now done with its meeting with the Sun. At perihelion and before that, the alien comet underwent certain changes which were unexpected. 3I/ATLAS turned blue, became brighter and displayed first signs of non-gravitational acceleration. All of them have been flagged as anomalies by Avi Loeb, the scientist who is urging astronomers to question the characteristics of the comet. He has also asked NASA to reveal its observations of 3I/ATLAS made by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter on October 2-3. The space agency has gone silent ever since the government shutdown kicked in on October 1.

On December 19, 3I/ATLAS will be around 273 million kilometres from Earth. This would be a good opportunity to try and unravel more details about the interstellar comet. It has already started brightening up and lots of fresh information can be expected pretty soon.

When will 3I/ATLAS come near Earth?

The interstellar comet is becoming visible in the sky from Earth. Dr Franck Marchis said that look towards Venus and the bright star Spica in Virgo to locate 3I/ATLAS. You can use a stargazing app such as SkySafari, Sky Tonight or a stellar map to find Venus and Spica.&nbsp;

How to locate 3I/ATLAS in the sky?

3I/ATLAS is expected to brighten in the coming days and might reach magnitude 10 soon. Dr Franck Marchis, senior astronomer and Director of Citizen Science at the SETI Institute and Chief Science Officer and co-founder of Unistellar, said that a telescope or a good pair of binoculars can catch a glimpse of the alien comet.

3I/ATLAS will brighten in the coming days

If you wish to see 3I/ATLAS from Earth, you can use a tracker to follow the interstellar comet. Here is one from <a href="https://theskylive.com/c2025n1-tracker">The Sky Live tracker,</a> that can tell you the exact location of the alien visitor.

Where is 3I/ATLAS? Here is a handy tracker to know

Contrary to theories that 3I/ATLAS won't be visible through regular telescopes, one scientist has said that it can be seen using one from Earth. Scientist Qicheng Zhang shared a photo he took of the <a href="https://cometary.org/@qicheng">interstellar comet</a> using a 152-mm Ritchey–Chrétien reflector.

3I/ATLAS photo taken early morning using an amateur teelscope

November 4 will be another crucial date in the interstellar comet's trip through our solar system. It will be 64 million kilometres from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/spacecraft-in-deep-space-fires-up-to-study-3i-atlas-twice-here-s-who-s-watching-1762159389496">Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE)</a> strutting through space to study three of Jupiter's icy moons - Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa. Its camera has been made operational for the mission to capture a glimpse of 3I/ATLAS.

Probe visiting Jupiter's moons to observe 3I/ATLAS today

NASA has been completely silent on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-update-today-nasa-sean-duffy-kim-kardashian-avi-loeb-1762225834773">3I/ATLAS</a> since the government shutdown kicked in. Its orbiter is believed to have captured the best image of the alien comet from Mars. However, we have nothing yet. Avi Loeb says the "precious data is time sensitive” and has a spatial resolution of 30 kilometres per pixel. He says it would help to guide upcoming observations of 3I/ATLAS before the object leaves our solar system.

Loeb calls on NASA once again to release data on 3I/ATLAS captured from Mars

Qicheng Zhang, a postdoctoral fellow at the observatory, who saw 3I/ATLAS change colour near the Sun, along with fellow researcher Karl Battams, an astrophysicist at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, DC, says the comet is visible using small telescopes. According to Zhang, the comet will soon start becoming visible to standard amateur telescopes across a major region of the Northern Hemisphere.

Can small telescopes see 3I/ATLAS?

The interstellar comet has a date with the Sun at October end. It reached perihelion and is now slowly starting to emerge from our star's glare. Scientists across the world are waiting to observe the comet and the changes it underwent following the heated encounter. Meanwhile, the Lowell Observatory in Arizona has captured an image of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-anomalies-might-increase-as-it-emerges-from-sun-glare-1762139821088">3I/ATLAS</a>.

First photo of 3I/ATLAS after perihelion

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is slowly starting to become visible again after solar conjunction and perihelion in October. The Lowell Observatory watched as it emerged from behind the Sun. It will be days before it becomes clear again.

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is set to show more antics in the coming weeks, revealing its true nature. Scientists are watching as it is now done with its meeting with the Sun. At perihelion and before that, the alien comet underwent certain changes which were unexpected. 3I/ATLAS turned blue, became brighter and displayed first signs of non-gravitational acceleration. All of them have been flagged as anomalies by Avi Loeb, the scientist who is urging astronomers to question the characteristics of the comet. He has also asked NASA to reveal its observations of 3I/ATLAS made by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter on October 2-3. The space agency has gone silent ever since the government shutdown kicked in on October 1.

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is slowly starting to become visible again after solar conjunction and perihelion in October. The Lowell Observatory watched as it emerged from behind the Sun. It will be days before it becomes clear again.

3I/ATLAS Live Tracker: How to find 3I/ATLAS in the sky?

A photo of 3I/ATLAS taken by the Lowell Discovery Telescope on October 31, 2025, shows the interstellar comet after it emerged from the Sun's glare. The comet's encounter with the Sun offered multiple fresh insights into this alien visitor. It sudden increase in brightness, change in colour and non-gravitational acceleration have added to the mysteries around it as scientists try to explain the reason for the several anomalies. Harvard scientists Avi Loeb says the Sun should have changed 3I/ATLAS in several ways, and if they do not see what they think it should exhibit, then the interstellar comet might have a tenth anomaly.

The interstellar comet will most likely become visible again by mid-November. However, prior to this, there will be certain telescopes and spacecraft that will be monitoring it and might get a peek at the comet.

When will 3I/ATLAS emerge from Sun's glare?

The European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) is gearing up to study 3I/ATLAS in November. In fact, the window runs from November 2 - 25. At its closest point, the spacecraft will be 64 million kilometres from the interstellar comet. There will be two observations, with the first one happening on November 4. Notably, JUICE is visiting Jovian moons Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa and will reach them in early 2030s.

Jupiter moons probe prepares to study 3I/ATLAS

Scientists think that interstellar travel could have changed 3I/ATLAS. There are likely “oddities in its nucleus properties like composition, shape, or structure”, &nbsp;which could have affected how it behaved near the Sun, and even at a far-off distance. Notably, the comet brightened unexpectedly near the Sun. It was also observed releasing water at a distance from the Sun, where comets typically do not become very active. Qicheng Zhang of Lowell Observatory and Karl Battams, an astrophysicist at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), say interstellar travel could have changed 3I/ATLAS. However, this could also be because of the design of its original planetary system.

Did interstellar travel change 3I/ATLAS?

Harvard scientist Avi Loeb recently added a ninth anomaly to 3I/ATLAS. Now, he says it could soon have a tenth oddity. He wrote in a blog post that the interstellar object should have a massive debris cloud measuring about 5 billion tons when it is again observed from Earth. This is because the non-gravitational acceleration could have resulted in it losing 15% of its mass.But if a huge plume of gas is missing around 3I/ATLAS, then non-gravitational acceleration would become a tenth anomaly.

3I/ATLAS could soon have a 10th anomaly

Zhang and Battams say that the “oddities in nucleus properties like composition, shape, or structure” of 3I/ATLAS were likely the reason for its sudden brightening near the Sun. &nbsp;They say the comet might have acquired these properties from its host system or over its long interstellar journey. "Without an established physical explanation, the outlook for 3I's postperihelion behaviour remains uncertain, and a plateau in brightness — or even a brief continuation of its preperihelion brightening — appears as plausible as rapid fading past perihelion."

3I/ATLAS composition could have contributed to sudden brightening

We all know that 3I/ATLAS is an interstellar object, meaning it is travelling from outside our solar system. So it is normal for it to exhibit different properties as compared to the comets that move around in our star system. Qicheng Zhang of Lowell Observatory and Karl Battams, an astrophysicist at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington DC, say that if the internal composition of 3I/ATLAS is different from that of the nuclei of Oort cloud comets, it could throw light on the planetary system it is coming from.

Composition of 3I/ATLAS likely different from Oort Cloud bodies

&nbsp;Qicheng Zhang of Lowell Observatory and Karl Battams, an astrophysicist at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington DC, wrote in a paper, &nbsp;that the reason for "3I’s rapid brightening, which far exceeds the brightening rate of most Oort cloud comets at similar r [radial distance], remains unclear." They say that this could have happened because of the speed of the comet.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Scientists explain why 3I/ATLAS could have brightened

The Lowell Discovery Telescope captured a photo of 3I/ATLAS after it emerged from the Sun. It took the picture on October 31. Meanwhile, the PUNCH mission, a group of small satellites studying the Sun, also took some images of the comet.

Observing 3I/ATLAS post perihelion

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is slowly becoming visible again as it comes out from behind the Sun. A photo taken by the Lowell Observatory in Arizona on October 31 was shared by Avi Loeb. The scientist says a fresh oddity might soon be added to the list of mysterious occurrences. 

A photo of 3I/ATLAS taken by the Lowell Discovery Telescope on October 31, 2025, shows the interstellar comet after it emerged from the Sun's glare. The comet's encounter with the Sun offered multiple fresh insights into this alien visitor. It sudden increase in brightness, change in colour and non-gravitational acceleration have added to the mysteries around it as scientists try to explain the reason for the several anomalies. Harvard scientists Avi Loeb says the Sun should have changed 3I/ATLAS in several ways, and if they do not see what they think it should exhibit, then the interstellar comet might have a tenth anomaly.

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is slowly becoming visible again as it comes out from behind the Sun. A photo taken by the Lowell Observatory in Arizona on October 31 was shared by Avi Loeb. The scientist says a fresh oddity might soon be added to the list of mysterious occurrences.&nbsp;

3I/ATLAS Live Tracker: When will interstellar comet emerge from Sun's glare?

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday (Nov 2) launched the country’s heaviest communication satellite CMS-03 (GSAT-7R), marking a milestone for India’s independent satellite capabilities and maritime security. The launch took place aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket, also known as ‘Bahubali’ of Indian rockets, from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Station in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 5:26 pm.&nbsp;“Liftoff! #LVM3M5 launches #CMS03 from SDSC SHAR, carrying India’s heaviest communication satellite to GTO,” ISRO wrote on X. Adding an update in another post, it said, “LVM3-M5/CMS-03 Mission Update: CMS-03 separated successfully. Perfect injection.” &nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Liftoff! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LVM3M5?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LVM3M5</a> launches <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMS03?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CMS03</a> from SDSC SHAR, carrying India’s heaviest communication satellite to GTO. Youtube URL:<a href="https://t.co/gFKB0A1GJE">https://t.co/gFKB0A1GJE</a> For more Information Visit<a href="https://t.co/yfpU5OTEc5">https://t.co/yfpU5OTEc5</a>&mdash; ISRO (@isro) <a href="https://twitter.com/isro/status/1984952762099274035?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The mission marks the fifth operational flight of the LVM3 vehicle. The rocket was last used during the Chandrayaan-3 &nbsp;launch on July 14, 2023.&nbsp;Following the launch, ISRO chief Dr V Narayanan announced that the Indian space agency successfully conducted an in-orbit test of the indigenously developed C25 cryogenic stage.&nbsp;“LVM3-M5 successfully injected into the required orbit precisely. This is the 8th consecutive successful launch by LVM3. CMS-03 is the heaviest satellite placed in GTO orbit. The vehicle performance was enhanced to increase its payload capacity by 10 per cent,” he said.&nbsp;He further added, “The satellite has a life of 15 years and carries a host of new technologies. We accomplished this mission despite the difficult weather conditions. The launch also had the reignition of the C20 cryogenic engine for the first time after placing the satellite. This will help in placing satellites in multiple orbits using LVM3.”&nbsp;The satellite would enhance the space-based communications and maritime domain awareness capabilities for the Navy with indigenous, state-of-the-art components specifically designed to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Navy.&nbsp;“This satellite is India's heaviest communication satellite to date, weighing approximately more than 4,400 kg, and includes many indigenous state-of-the-art components developed specifically to meet the Indian Navy’s operational requirements,” the Indian Navy said.&nbsp;Congratulating ISRO on the successful launch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X, “Our space sector continues to make us proud!”&nbsp;“Congratulations ISRO on the successful launch of India’s heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03. Powered by our space scientists, it is commendable how our space sector has become synonymous with excellence and innovation. Their successes have furthered national progress and empowered countless lives,” he said. &nbsp;

The launch took place aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket, also known as ‘Bahubali’ of Indian rockets, from Sriharikota at 5:26 pm IST.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday (Nov 2) launched the country’s heaviest communication satellite CMS-03 (GSAT-7R), marking a milestone for India’s independent satellite capabilities and maritime security. The launch took place aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket, also known as ‘Bahubali’ of Indian rockets, from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Station in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 5:26 pm. “Liftoff! #LVM3M5 launches #CMS03 from SDSC SHAR, carrying India’s heaviest communication satellite to GTO,” ISRO wrote on X. Adding an update in another post, it said, “LVM3-M5/CMS-03 Mission Update: CMS-03 separated successfully. Perfect injection.”

The launch took place aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket, also known as ‘Bahubali’ of Indian rockets, from Sriharikota at 5:26 pm IST.

Liftoff! ISRO launches India’s heaviest satellite CMS-03 aboard ‘Bahubali’ rocket

The Chinese Manned Space Agency(CMSA) announced on Thursday (30th Oct) that they would train two Pakistani astronauts, one of whom would later join the Chinese crew on a short-duration mission to China's Tiangong Space Station. This Pakistani astronaut, who would eventually be chosen for undertaking human spaceflight, would be the first foreign visitor to the Chinese Space Station. China is Pakistan's main backer when it comes to space technology.While the decades-old International Space Station is a multilateral effort that involves the US, Russia, Japan, Canada and Europe, China has been operating its own full-fledged Tiangong (literal meaning Heavenly Palace) space station since late 2022. Like the International Space Station, its Chinese counterpart serves as a lab that circles 400 km above the Earth, hosts a wide range of experiments and a permanent crew of astronauts.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-world-changing-threat-thousands-mysterious-underwater-ufos-spotted-near-us-shores-ex-navy-admiral-warns-1761547551599">'World-changing' threat? Thousands of mysterious underwater UFOs spotted near US shores; ex-Navy admiral warns...</a>"According to the plan, two selected Pakistani astronauts will undergo training along with Chinese astronauts. One of them will be scheduled to carry out a short-duration flight mission as a payload expert based on the mid-term plan for the Chinese space station and the cooperation process," announced Zhang Jingbo, spokesperson of the CMSA. During the mission, the astronaut, in addition to performing routine duties, will also conduct scientific experiments for Pakistan, it was revealed.Following the signing of a cooperation agreement between China and Pakistan in February this year, the official selection process for Pakistani astronauts has been launched, according to the CMSA spokesperson.China's astronaut selection process consists of three stages: preliminary selection, secondary selection, and final selection. In the case of the Pakistani astronaut, the preliminary stage is being carried out in Pakistan, while the secondary and final selections will take place in China, said the spokesperson.Preparations for the secondary selection phase are already underway, including training programs, teaching materials, training equipment, and logistical support for daily life during the training period.While Pakistan has a space agency by the name SUPARCO, its independent activities are very limited, and they do not possess spacefaring rockets. Most of Pakistan's satellites are built with assistance from China, and their launches are carried out on Chinese rockets from Chinese soil."We're proactive in selecting foreign astronauts to participate in flight missions to the Chinese space station, facilitating international cooperation and exchange. We welcome counterparts from all over the world to participate in Chinese space station expeditions," said Zhang Jingbo.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-like-watching-a-living-galaxy-unfurl-beneath-you-shubhanshu-shukla-shares-breathtaking-diwali-spectacle-of-india-from-space-station-watch-video-1761020335036">'Like watching a living galaxy unfurl beneath you': Shubhanshu Shukla shares breathtaking Diwali spectacle of India from space station. Watch video</a><h2>In 2025, an Indian astronaut flew to the International Space Station</h2>In June 2025, Indian Air Force Test Pilot, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, flew to the International Space Station(ISS) as part of the American Axiom-4 mission, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon craft. Shukla became the second Indian to fly to space, and he did so 41 years after the Soviet mission that carried India's Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma to the then Salyut-7 Soviet Space station.While Rakesh Sharma's mission was done during the nascent stage of the Indian Space Programme, Shukla's Axiom-4 flight is meant to serve as a precursor and training mission for India's own Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. As part of Gaganyaan, India's space agency ISRO is working towards independently launching Indian astronauts on an Indian rocket and capsule to circle the earth, perform basic experiments within the capsule, and return safely for a splashdown landing. India hopes to accomplish Gaganyaan by the end of the decade, and also has long-term plans of building an independent space station.&nbsp;

"According to the plan, two selected Pakistani astronauts will undergo training along with Chinese astronauts," announced Zhang Jingbo, spokesperson of the Chinese Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The Chinese Manned Space Agency(CMSA) announced on Thursday (30th Oct) that they would train two Pakistani astronauts, one of whom would later join the Chinese crew on a short-duration mission to China's Tiangong Space Station. This Pakistani astronaut, who would eventually be chosen for undertaking human spaceflight, would be the first foreign visitor to the Chinese Space Station. China is Pakistan's main backer when it comes to space technology. While the decades-old International Space Station is a multilateral effort that involves the US, Russia, Japan, Canada and Europe, China has been operating its own full-fledged Tiangong (literal meaning Heavenly Palace) space station since late 2022. Like the International Space Station, its Chinese counterpart serves as a lab that circles 400 km above the Earth, hosts a wide range of experiments and a permanent crew of astronauts. Also read | 'World-changing' threat? Thousands of mysterious underwater UFOs spotted near US shores; ex-Navy admiral warns... "According to the plan, two selected Pakistani astronauts will undergo training along with Chinese astronauts. One of them will be scheduled to carry out a short-duration flight mission as a payload expert based on the mid-term plan for the Chinese space station and the cooperation process," announced Zhang Jingbo, spokesperson of the CMSA. During the mission, the astronaut, in addition to performing routine duties, will also conduct scientific experiments for Pakistan, it was revealed. Following the signing of a cooperation agreement between China and Pakistan in February this year, the official selection process for Pakistani astronauts has been launched, according to the CMSA spokesperson. China's astronaut selection process consists of three stages: preliminary selection, secondary selection, and final selection. In the case of the Pakistani astronaut, the preliminary stage is being carried out in Pakistan, while the secondary and final selections will take place in China, said the spokesperson. Preparations for the secondary selection phase are already underway, including training programs, teaching materials, training equipment, and logistical support for daily life during the training period. While Pakistan has a space agency by the name SUPARCO, its independent activities are very limited, and they do not possess spacefaring rockets. Most of Pakistan's satellites are built with assistance from China, and their launches are carried out on Chinese rockets from Chinese soil. "We're proactive in selecting foreign astronauts to participate in flight missions to the Chinese space station, facilitating international cooperation and exchange. We welcome counterparts from all over the world to participate in Chinese space station expeditions," said Zhang Jingbo. Also read | 'Like watching a living galaxy unfurl beneath you': Shubhanshu Shukla shares breathtaking Diwali spectacle of India from space station. Watch video In 2025, an Indian astronaut flew to the International Space Station In June 2025, Indian Air Force Test Pilot, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, flew to the International Space Station(ISS) as part of the American Axiom-4 mission, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon craft. Shukla became the second Indian to fly to space, and he did so 41 years after the Soviet mission that carried India's Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma to the then Salyut-7 Soviet Space station. While Rakesh Sharma's mission was done during the nascent stage of the Indian Space Programme, Shukla's Axiom-4 flight is meant to serve as a precursor and training mission for India's own Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. As part of Gaganyaan, India's space agency ISRO is working towards independently launching Indian astronauts on an Indian rocket and capsule to circle the earth, perform basic experiments within the capsule, and return safely for a splashdown landing. India hopes to accomplish Gaganyaan by the end of the decade, and also has long-term plans of building an independent space station.

"According to the plan, two selected Pakistani astronauts will undergo training along with Chinese astronauts," announced Zhang Jingbo, spokesperson of the Chinese Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

Pakistani astronaut to visit Chinese Space Station; to be first foreign visitor there

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is getting stranger and more mysterious by the day as it reaches its halfway distance in its trip through our solar system. At perihelion, that is, its closest point to the sun, the alien comet was expected to undergo major transformations. It seems things have changed for 3I/ATLAS, as new observations show it is not the same object it was before its encounter with our star. Its colour has changed and so has its brightness. It also made some weird changes in its trajectory, according to NASA data. Now scientists are waiting with bated breath for it to reemerge so they can see how much mass it has lost due to sublimation.

Yes. For the first time, 3I/ATLAS showed non-gravitational acceleration at perihelion, according to NASA and Avi Loeb. The comet also became extremely bright, so much so that it can be compared to stars. Its colour has also changed to blue instead of red, which typically happens with comets when they reach near the Sun.

Did 3I/ATLAS do anything strange near the Sun?

The interstellar comet was seen by the PUNCH mission, a group of small satellites studying the Sun, as it came out of the Sun’s glare. There is no data yet in the comet and how it might have changed during solar conjunction and perihelion. During its time with the sun, 3I/ATLAS was expected to perform the Oberth Maneuver, meaning it could have flung itself towards Earth. However, nothing like this has happened and it is now on its way. However, clear data will emerge only in the coming days.

3I/ATLAS reemerges from the Sun's shadows

In August, scientists saw hydroxyl (OH) gas, a chemical fingerprint of water, releasing from the interstellar comet. When comets come near the Sun, the water ice on the surface starts turning into a gas. But 3I/ATLAS was shooting jets when it was nearly three times farther from the Sun than Earth. The alien comet was recorded losing water at a rate of about 40 kg per second. Experts say the detection of water gas holds clues about life in other star systems.

3I/ATLAS and clues about alien life

Loeb cited several anomalies in the interstellar object to claim that there is a high chance that it is not a natural object. According to him, the size, light, speed, trajectory, the lack of a cometary tail are not in line with a regular comet. He has cited a total of eight anomalies till now in 3I/ATLAS.

Why Avi Loeb claimed 3I/ATLAS could be a spaceship

The European Space Agency released one picture of the interstellar comet by its ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO). It said the distance was immense, comparable to how you would see the Moon from Earth. That is why not a lot could be gathered about 3I/ATLAS. ExoMars TGO captured the series of images using its Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS). ESA said that the "slightly fuzzy white dot moving downwards near the centre of the image" is 3I/Atlas. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/first-photo-of-3i-atlas-taken-by-mars-orbiter-exomars-tgo-captures-bright-coma-but-no-tail-1759891801720">3I/Atlas photo taken by Mars orbiter</a>

Only picture of 3I/ATLAS taken from Mars

NASA has gone completely silent on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-did-something-strange-that-could-reveal-clues-about-alien-life-1761801748454">3I/ATLAS</a>. Barring some info that is released on basic comets and asteroids, the space agency has not said anything about the comet. It came 29 million kilometres near Mars on October 3, and its Reconnaissance Orbiter is said to have been best positioned to capture the comet's photos. However, NASA has not released any pictures yet, creating fear that it is hiding something.

Why is NASA silent on 3I/ATLAS?

3I/ATLAS is believed to be only a kilometre wide, but some say it is the size of a whole city. The Hubble Space Telescope observations suggest that the diameter of 3I/ATLAS's nucleus is between 0.32 and 5.6 km. However, Avi Loeb, a Harvard scientist, cites the brightness of 3I/ATLAS at a wavelength of 1 micrometre to claim that it has a nucleus that measures 46 kilometres in diameter. His claims have been disputed by others.

Size of 3I/ATLAS

AGE - The alien comet is estimated to be anywhere between 7 - 14 billion years old. That means it could have been born with the universe. Even if it is 7 billion years old, it is still older than our solar system which is only about 4.6 billion years old.

Brushing up on basic facts about 3I/ATLAS

The non-gravitational acceleration observed on 3I/ATLAS might be linked to 3I/ATLAS getting bluer than the Sun. There was a radial acceleration and a transverse acceleration, and an unexpected change in colour.

Are 3I/ATLAS's non-gravitational acceleration and bluish hue linked?

The alien comet is likely to lose considerable mass because of its trip to the Sun. "Over the month it takes 3I/ATLAS to cross a spatial scale of order its perihelion separation from the Sun, and it would lose about a tenth of its mass," Loeb wrote. "Such a massive mass loss should be detectable in the form of a large plume of gas surrounding <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-latest-update-acid-test-sun-earth-1761620995309">3I/ATLAS</a> during the upcoming months of November and December 2025."

3I/ATLAS will lose a lot of mass near the Sun

3I/ATLAS update: The interstellar comet is out of the Sun's glare and was seen by a bunch of satellites that are a part of the PUNCH mission. Details of its appearance and changes will only emerge in the coming days.

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is getting stranger and more mysterious by the day as it reaches its halfway distance in its trip through our solar system. At perihelion, that is, its closest point to the sun, the alien comet was expected to undergo major transformations. It seems things have changed for 3I/ATLAS, as new observations show it is not the same object it was before its encounter with our star. Its colour has changed and so has its brightness. It also made some weird changes in its trajectory, according to NASA data. Now scientists are waiting with bated breath for it to reemerge so they can see how much mass it has lost due to sublimation.

3I/ATLAS update: The interstellar comet is out of the Sun's glare and was seen by a bunch of satellites that are a part of the PUNCH mission. Details of its appearance and changes will only emerge in the coming days.

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