Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is a chemical anomaly, with a rare methanol to hydrogen cyanide ratio being observed by a group of astronomers. It was observed for nearly three months by ALMA in Chile, during which time they noted that it was different from most comets.

3I/ATLAS is chemically unusual, with methanol raging not just in the nucleus

Astronomers made some stunning discoveries in the universe in 2025. From the oldest supermassive black hole, to an asteroid that is spinning against the laws of Physics, here are 10 such findings.

9 space discoveries of 2025 that stumped astronomers

3I/ATLAS update: The interstellar comet has been observed emitting X-rays, according to Japanese scientists. They observed the comet over two days and noticed emissions that shroud an area of 400,000 km around the nucleus of the comet.

3I/ATLAS update: Interstellar comet emitting X-rays covering an area of 400,000 km

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is moving towards Earth now at breakneck speed. NASA and ESA have both captured a hyperactive body hurtling through space. It became more intense after its encounter with Sun at end of October.

3I/ATLAS races towards Earth: Here is when it will make its closest approach as NASA and ESA observe a hyperactive comet

 3I/ATLAS update today: The Hubble telescope has once again observed 3I/ATLAS. Two new photos of the interstellar comet have been released back-to-back, with the first one by the European Space Agency.

3I/ATLAS tracker: Hubble observes interstellar comet again, captures 40,000 km glowing halo around coma

Juice probe observed 3I/ATLAS on November 2. ESA has released a new image of the interstellar comet. It is only a small portion of it, and the full picture will be available only in February. 3I/ATLAS was very active when Juice saw the comet.

New photo of 3I/ATLAS is out: ESA's Juice probe captured a hyperactive comet

3I/ATLAS is covered with icy volcanoes that erupted as it came near the Sun. A team of Spanish scientists spotted jets of ice and dust being released from the interstellar comet at perihelion. This explains why it brightened near the Sun. 

3I/ATLAS spewed pristine material as ice volcanoes erupted near the Sun, Spanish scientists find

Elon Musks former partner, Claire Elise Boucher, aka Grimes, presents a theory that 3i/ATLAS is coming to check out humans and to see whether or not we are ready to join “the alien federation of civilisations.” She admits the comet has captivated the imagination of young and old alike.

3I/ATLAS is coming to 'check us out': Musk's ex, Grimes, joins debate on 'mysterious stranger'

3I/ATLAS is likely to pass very close to Jupiter Hill radius in March next year, and at this point, it could release tiny objects that might get caught in the planet gravity. If it does achieve this match, then that would be the biggest anomaly noted till now

3I/ATLAS could display its 'most remarkable anomaly' near Jupiter - Rare coincidence at perijove

Latest on 3I/ATLAS: A new study states that as the interstellar comet makes its way out of the solar system, its encounter with Jupiter will leave it with a huge impact. It will likely be thrown off its path because of the gravitational force of the gas giant.

3I/ATLAS will be thrown off-course by Jupiter as it exits the solar system

Updates on 3I/ATLAS: There have been several findings and fresh observations of the interstellar comet in recent days. Here are some of the developments on 3I/ATLAS, including what NASA said about it, observations from India and live images. 

Updates on 3I/ATLAS: Clearest image of interstellar comet, what NASA and India saw, and live observations

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS could have released small probes, Avi Loeb says, citing new images. He says the lines visible in the photo “extend out to a distance of about a million kilometres”, and these probes could have already travelled a million kilometres.

Have mini-objects departed from 3I/ATLAS? Loeb claims they would have already travelled a million kilometres

Indian scientists have observed 3I/ATLAS for the first time from Mount Abu. They saw a bright coma and stated that it is behaving like other solar system comets. Meanwhile, NASA finally released its observations of 3I/ATLAS during the government shutdown. 

Indian scientists observe 3I/ATLAS: Behaving like a 'typical' solar system comet

3I/ATLAS and NASA: The American space agency released all the images of the interstellar comet that several of its spacecraft captured. This includes Mars missions, solar missions and two asteroid missions.   

3I/ATLAS spotted by 12 NASA spacecraft: What Mars, asteroid and solar missions saw

3I/ATLAS live stream: Astronomer Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project live-streamed images of the interstellar comet from Italy on November 19. He also asserted that 3I/ATLAS is a comet and nothing else, refuting claims that it could be a spacecraft.

3I/ATLAS images live streamed from Italy: 'Clearly a comet', astronomer asserts

3I/ATLAS latest update: NASA is finally ready to release images and data on 3I/ATLAS that it gathered during the entire duration of the government shutdown. It will hold a live event to reveal everything its telescopes and spacecraft saw, ending a long wait.

NASA to release 3I/ATLAS photos in a live event on THIS date - 'We were observing it almost the entire time'

3I/ATLAS Live Updates: The interstellar comet is zooming through the solar system, with astronomers across the world getting a fresh look at it. Meanwhile, the most awaited picture is from NASA, which its orbiter captured on Mars.

3I/ATLAS Live Tracker: World awaits NASA photos as comet develops strange anti-tail

Latest updates on 3I/ATLAS: New photos of the interstellar comet are showing the anti-tail more clearly, with at least two cometary jets also visible. Scientists are trying to decode the reason for the strange jets. Here are some explanations offered for 3I/ATLAS anti-tail.

3I/ATLAS mysterious anti-tail baffles scientists — Theories offered for bizarre structure

Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS), or the “other Atlas”, has broken up into several pieces after perihelion. Astronomer Gianluca Masi shared pictures of the comet taken from Italy. It is now moving towards Earth and will be 60 million km at its closest point. 

'Other Atlas', the golden comet, breaks apart as it zooms towards Earth

3I/ATLAS is again showing anti-tails, which Avi Loeb suggests could mean that it is trying to jet off away from the Sun by using its gravitational assist. It could be a spacecraft that aims to gain speed rather than slow down.

Scientist suggests 3I/ATLAS is trying to 'gain speed rather than slow down' - An 11th anomaly emerges

3I/ATLAS has been displaying several mysterious features ever since it emerged from the Sun's glare. There have also been other revelations about it, such as the first radio signal and how it is no longer the same piece of rock it once was due to space radiation.

Latest updates on 3I/ATLAS: First radio signal, strange jets and more

3I/ATLAS has led scientists to study different things about interstellar objects, including which regions of Earth are more susceptible to an impact from these outer space visitors. Where will such ISOs originate that threaten Earth? 

Scientists reveal the ONE danger zone on Earth at most risk from interstellar objects such as 3I/ATLAS

3I/ATLAS update today: A team of astronomers studied NASA observations of the interstellar comet and tried to understand the reason for some odd behaviour. They noted that the long interstellar journey has bruised it beyond recognition.

3I/ATLAS hiding pristine material, but is no longer a relic of its past — Study examines NASA data

3I/ATLAS has been travelling for billions of years and is older than our solar system. Its long journey through the stars has supposedly left it with a battered face. The galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) have transformed its outer layers, scientists said. 

3I/ATLAS Live Tracker: Did interstellar comet rupture into 16 pieces near the Sun?

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3I/ATLAS is chemically unusual, with methanol raging not just in the nucleus

9 space discoveries of 2025 that stumped astronomers

3I/ATLAS update: Interstellar comet emitting X-rays stretching 400,000 km

3I/ATLAS races towards Earth: Here is when it will make its closest approach

Hubble observes 3I/ATLAS again, captures 40,000 km glowing halo around coma

New photo of 3I/ATLAS is out: ESA's Juice probe captured a hyperactive comet

3I/ATLAS spewed pristine material as ice volcanoes erupted near the Sun

3I/ATLAS is coming to 'check us out': Grimes joins debate on 'mysterious' object

3I/ATLAS could display its 'most remarkable anomaly' near Jupiter at perijove

3I/ATLAS will be thrown off-course by Jupiter as it exits the solar system

Updates on 3I/ATLAS: Clearest image of comet, what NASA and India saw and more

Have mini-objects departed 3I/ATLAS? Loeb claims they have travelled 1mn km

Indian scientists observe 3I/ATLAS: Behaving like a 'typical' solar system comet

3I/ATLAS spotted by 12 NASA spacecraft: What Mars, asteroid and solar missions saw

3I/ATLAS images live streamed from Italy: 'Clearly a comet', astronomer asserts

NASA to release 3I/ATLAS photos in a live event on THIS date - 'We were...'

3I/ATLAS Live Tracker: World awaits NASA photos as comet develops anti-tail

Scientists explain what could be causing 3I/ATLAS to have an anti-tail

'Other Atlas', the golden comet, breaks apart as it zooms towards Earth

Loeb suggests 3I/ATLAS could be trying 'to gain speed rather than slow down'

Latest updates on 3I/ATLAS: First radio signal, strange jets and more

Scientists reveal danger zone on Earth at most risk from interstellar objects

3I/ATLAS hiding pristine material but is no longer a relic of its past

3I/ATLAS Live Tracker: Did interstellar comet rupture into 16 pieces near Sun?