NASA released images of 3I/ATLAS on November 19, captured by not only Mars missions, but also other spacecraft that are currently journeying through space to reach their destinations. However, the best observations were to come from Mars since three of its objects observed the interstellar comet during its flyby on October 2 and 3. First and the most awaited images came from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which was best positioned to see the comet, and so captured one of the closest pictures. The image shows a blurry and fuzzy object in black and white, captured by the HiRISE camera aboard the orbiter. It was only about 30 million kilometres from 3I/ATLAS at the time.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3iatlas-images-live-streamed-from-italy-clearly-a-comet-astronomer-asserts-1763544958390">3I/ATLAS images live streamed from Italy: 'Clearly a comet', astronomer asserts</a> &nbsp;<h2>NASA asserted 3I/ATLAS is just a comet</h2>NASA officials also stressed the fact that the object is simply a comet and nothing else. The agency's associate administrator Amit Kshatriya declared, “3I/ATLAS is a comet.” Harvard scientist Avi Loeb has time and again claimed that 3I/ATLAS could be more than just a comet, citing the various ways in which it is acting differently than a regular comet. However, NASA has dismissed all such claims, stating that the reason for this is simply the nature of the comet as it is coming from another star system. Nicky Fox, the associate administrator for NASA's science mission directorate, said, "We certainly haven't seen any technosignatures [technological traces of intelligent life] or anything from it that would lead us to believe it was anything other than a comet."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-nasa-update-latest-hiding-pristine-material-and-is-no-longer-a-relic-of-its-pas-1762858620116">3I/ATLAS hiding pristine material, but is no longer a relic of its past — Study examines NASA data</a> &nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/3i-atlas-nasa-releases-close-up-pictures-of-interstellar-comet-1763607186957/embed<h2>All NASA missions that spotted 3I/ATLAS</h2> NASA said that 12 NASA assets captured and processed imagery of the comet since it was first discovered on July 1, and several others will have opportunities to capture more images as it continues to travel through the solar system. Besides the MRO, the MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) orbiter and the Perseverance rover caught a "faint glimpse" of the comet. NASA’s STEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) captured images from September 11 to October 2, and the ESA (European Space Agency) and NASA mission SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) observed the comet from October 15 to 26. NASA’s PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission, launched earlier this year, saw the comet’s tail between September 20 and October 3.&nbsp;Two asteroid missions - the Psyche and Lucy spacecraft - also saw the comet and took pictures which will help reveal more about the comet, NASA said. While the Psyche mission is travelling to the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche, Lucy will explore Jupiter's Trojan asteroids.

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.   

NASA released images of 3I/ATLAS on November 19, captured by not only Mars missions, but also other spacecraft that are currently journeying through space to reach their destinations. However, the best observations were to come from Mars since three of its objects observed the interstellar comet during its flyby on October 2 and 3. First and the most awaited images came from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which was best positioned to see the comet, and so captured one of the closest pictures. The image shows a blurry and fuzzy object in black and white, captured by the HiRISE camera aboard the orbiter. It was only about 30 million kilometres from 3I/ATLAS at the time. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS images live streamed from Italy: 'Clearly a comet', astronomer asserts NASA asserted 3I/ATLAS is just a comet NASA officials also stressed the fact that the object is simply a comet and nothing else. The agency's associate administrator Amit Kshatriya declared, “3I/ATLAS is a comet.” Harvard scientist Avi Loeb has time and again claimed that 3I/ATLAS could be more than just a comet, citing the various ways in which it is acting differently than a regular comet. However, NASA has dismissed all such claims, stating that the reason for this is simply the nature of the comet as it is coming from another star system. Nicky Fox, the associate administrator for NASA's science mission directorate, said, "We certainly haven't seen any technosignatures [technological traces of intelligent life] or anything from it that would lead us to believe it was anything other than a comet." Also Read: 3I/ATLAS hiding pristine material, but is no longer a relic of its past — Study examines NASA data https://www.wionews.com/videos/3i-atlas-nasa-releases-close-up-pictures-of-interstellar-comet-1763607186957/embed All NASA missions that spotted 3I/ATLAS NASA said that 12 NASA assets captured and processed imagery of the comet since it was first discovered on July 1, and several others will have opportunities to capture more images as it continues to travel through the solar system. Besides the MRO, the MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) orbiter and the Perseverance rover caught a "faint glimpse" of the comet. NASA’s STEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) captured images from September 11 to October 2, and the ESA (European Space Agency) and NASA mission SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) observed the comet from October 15 to 26. NASA’s PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission, launched earlier this year, saw the comet’s tail between September 20 and October 3. Two asteroid missions - the Psyche and Lucy spacecraft - also saw the comet and took pictures which will help reveal more about the comet, NASA said. While the Psyche mission is travelling to the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche, Lucy will explore Jupiter's Trojan asteroids.

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

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

The Virtual Telescope Project live-streamed shots of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on November 19. Gianluca Masi, an Italian astrophysicist and astronomer, shared real-time observations of the comet with his viewers. The images showed a bright object with a coma and a clear tail. The live stream lasted for about 40 minutes, with Masi detailing everything that has been observed about 3I/ATLAS. He stressed several times that it is clearly a comet and has been noted to be one ever since it was first discovered on July 1. "I am so happy that the Virtual Telescope Project is making history once again, bringing no less than such an exceptional object live to you," Masi said. He also shared an inverted image of the comet to make the tail clearer.&nbsp;He added that 3I/ATLAS is quite clearly visible now from Earth. It reached perihelion, its closest point to the Sun, on October 29 and has since continued to brighten. "It was clear from the beginning that this object was pretty special. It was moving pretty fast at the time of discovery. At the time, it was 670 million kilometres from the Sun, around the distance of Jupiter from the Sun. It was moving very fast, 61 km/sec," Masi said during the live stream.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-to-release-3i-atlas-photos-in-a-live-event-on-this-date-1763435602833">NASA to release 3I/ATLAS photos in a live event on THIS date - ‘We were observing it almost the entire time’</a><h2>3I/ATLAS is clearly a comet, and nothing else, Masi said</h2>Masi reiterated that 3I/ATLAS is a comet and nothing else, quashing all speculation that it could be an alien spacecraft or something else. "The cometary nature was pretty clear after it was discovered. I fail to understand why any other kind of idea is spread so much despite the clear nature of this cometary object," he said. Notably, Harvard scientist Avi Loeb has pointed out several anomalies in 3I/ATLAS, stating that it is not behaving like a regular comet. He even claimed that it could be an alien mothership coming to probe Earth and the other planets in the solar system. Masi also talked about the anti-tail that 3I/ATLAS has, saying that such features are common on comets. So there is nothing odd about it, Masi said.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/if-3i-atlas-was-to-impact-earth-where-would-it-crash-scientists-reveal-danger-zone-at-most-risk-from-interstellar-objects-1762925839245">Scientists reveal the ONE danger zone on Earth at most risk from interstellar objects such as 3I/ATLAS</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, 3I/ATLAS has brightened and can easily be found in the morning sky using a telescope or binoculars. It currently has around 10th magnitude brightness. A photo taken on November 17 shows a classic blue-green coma and an ion tail, as shared by Sky and Telescope. "Now that the Moon has departed the morning sky, it's possible to glimpse its dim gas tail, which points to the northwest," amateur astronomer Bob King wrote.&nbsp;

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.

The Virtual Telescope Project live-streamed shots of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on November 19. Gianluca Masi, an Italian astrophysicist and astronomer, shared real-time observations of the comet with his viewers. The images showed a bright object with a coma and a clear tail. The live stream lasted for about 40 minutes, with Masi detailing everything that has been observed about 3I/ATLAS. He stressed several times that it is clearly a comet and has been noted to be one ever since it was first discovered on July 1. "I am so happy that the Virtual Telescope Project is making history once again, bringing no less than such an exceptional object live to you," Masi said. He also shared an inverted image of the comet to make the tail clearer. He added that 3I/ATLAS is quite clearly visible now from Earth. It reached perihelion, its closest point to the Sun, on October 29 and has since continued to brighten. "It was clear from the beginning that this object was pretty special. It was moving pretty fast at the time of discovery. At the time, it was 670 million kilometres from the Sun, around the distance of Jupiter from the Sun. It was moving very fast, 61 km/sec," Masi said during the live stream. Also Read: NASA to release 3I/ATLAS photos in a live event on THIS date - ‘We were observing it almost the entire time’ 3I/ATLAS is clearly a comet, and nothing else, Masi said Masi reiterated that 3I/ATLAS is a comet and nothing else, quashing all speculation that it could be an alien spacecraft or something else. "The cometary nature was pretty clear after it was discovered. I fail to understand why any other kind of idea is spread so much despite the clear nature of this cometary object," he said. Notably, Harvard scientist Avi Loeb has pointed out several anomalies in 3I/ATLAS, stating that it is not behaving like a regular comet. He even claimed that it could be an alien mothership coming to probe Earth and the other planets in the solar system. Masi also talked about the anti-tail that 3I/ATLAS has, saying that such features are common on comets. So there is nothing odd about it, Masi said. Also Read: Scientists reveal the ONE danger zone on Earth at most risk from interstellar objects such as 3I/ATLAS Meanwhile, 3I/ATLAS has brightened and can easily be found in the morning sky using a telescope or binoculars. It currently has around 10th magnitude brightness. A photo taken on November 17 shows a classic blue-green coma and an ion tail, as shared by Sky and Telescope. "Now that the Moon has departed the morning sky, it's possible to glimpse its dim gas tail, which points to the northwest," amateur astronomer Bob King wrote.

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

NASA has announced that it will release images of 3I/ATLAS captured by several of its missions on November 19. The space agency had stopped sending out updates and making official releases for over a month because of the government shutdown. This meant a lack of data from the American space agency on only the third interstellar visitor. NASA will be making public all the images in a live event at 3 pm EST. "NASA will host a live event at 3 p.m. EST, Wednesday, Nov. 19, to share imagery of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS collected by a number of the agency’s missions," it wrote in a release. The event will be held at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. It will be available to watch on NASA+, the NASA app, the agency’s website and YouTube channel, and Amazon Prime.&nbsp;Officials present at the briefing will include NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya, Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, Shawn Domagal-Goldman, acting director, Astrophysics Division and Tom Statler, lead scientist for solar system small bodies. NASA went silent when astronomers across the world started asking questions about it. It stopped all updates on October 1, right around when 3I/ATLAS was supposed to make its closest approach to Mars. NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was expected to get the best view of the alien comet because of its location. However, we are yet to see what it saw one and a half months ago. Harvard scientist Avi Loeb called on the space agency to release the images and not hold science hostage to politics. The wait will finally be over soon.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-spacecraft-avi-loeb-trying-to-gain-speed-rather-than-slow-down-1763008420284">Scientist suggests 3I/ATLAS is trying to 'gain speed rather than slow down' - An 11th anomaly emerges</a> Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/if-3i-atlas-was-to-impact-earth-where-would-it-crash-scientists-reveal-danger-zone-at-most-risk-from-interstellar-objects-1762925839245">Scientists reveal the ONE danger zone on Earth at most risk from interstellar objects such as 3I/ATLAS</a> &nbsp;<h2>NASA says it was watching 3I/ATLAS all this time</h2>"Assets within NASA’s science missions give the United States the unique capability to observe 3I/ATLAS almost the entire time it passes through our celestial neighbourhood," the space agency further noted. It added that it had "complementary scientific instruments" to study it from different directions and gauge the comet's behaviour. "These assets include both spacecraft across the solar system, as well as ground-based observatories."&nbsp;NASA's silence triggered misinformation as people started further peddling alien theories, sharing AI-doctored images on social media platforms. However, with the American space agency now set to release the data it holds on 3I/ATLAS, along with several pictures gathered by various missions, there is hope that the picture on this mysterious visitor will become clearer. &nbsp;

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 has announced that it will release images of 3I/ATLAS captured by several of its missions on November 19. The space agency had stopped sending out updates and making official releases for over a month because of the government shutdown. This meant a lack of data from the American space agency on only the third interstellar visitor. NASA will be making public all the images in a live event at 3 pm EST. "NASA will host a live event at 3 p.m. EST, Wednesday, Nov. 19, to share imagery of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS collected by a number of the agency’s missions," it wrote in a release. The event will be held at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. It will be available to watch on NASA+, the NASA app, the agency’s website and YouTube channel, and Amazon Prime. Officials present at the briefing will include NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya, Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, Shawn Domagal-Goldman, acting director, Astrophysics Division and Tom Statler, lead scientist for solar system small bodies. NASA went silent when astronomers across the world started asking questions about it. It stopped all updates on October 1, right around when 3I/ATLAS was supposed to make its closest approach to Mars. NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was expected to get the best view of the alien comet because of its location. However, we are yet to see what it saw one and a half months ago. Harvard scientist Avi Loeb called on the space agency to release the images and not hold science hostage to politics. The wait will finally be over soon. Also Read: Scientist suggests 3I/ATLAS is trying to 'gain speed rather than slow down' - An 11th anomaly emerges Also Read: Scientists reveal the ONE danger zone on Earth at most risk from interstellar objects such as 3I/ATLAS NASA says it was watching 3I/ATLAS all this time "Assets within NASA’s science missions give the United States the unique capability to observe 3I/ATLAS almost the entire time it passes through our celestial neighbourhood," the space agency further noted. It added that it had "complementary scientific instruments" to study it from different directions and gauge the comet's behaviour. "These assets include both spacecraft across the solar system, as well as ground-based observatories." NASA's silence triggered misinformation as people started further peddling alien theories, sharing AI-doctored images on social media platforms. However, with the American space agency now set to release the data it holds on 3I/ATLAS, along with several pictures gathered by various missions, there is hope that the picture on this mysterious visitor will become clearer.

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'

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.

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), dubbed the “other Atlas”, has broken up into several pieces. It was discovered in May by astronomers at the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) and reached perihelion on October 8. It was expected to be killed by our star, but observations showed that it survived. However, astronomer Gianluca Masi in Manciano, Italy, has now discovered that the comet has fragmented into several pieces. The gravitational force of the Sun stretched it to the limit, breaking it apart while letting it survive. "Several parts (sub-nuclei or clouds of debris) are visible, also a plume just below the leading (the first from the left) fragment," Masi, the founder of The Virtual Telescope Project, shared. It is called the “other Atlas” because right now, C/2025 N1 ATLAS, or 3I/ATLAS, is hogging all the limelight for being only the third interstellar visitor.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/-other-atlas-turns-golden-following-trip-to-the-sun-that-should-have-shredded-it-to-pieces-1762430013874">The 'other Atlas' comet that should have died near the Sun turns GOLDEN</a>&nbsp;C/2025 K1 suddenly brightened around perihelion, changing it colour from green to golden, a rarity for comets. Astrophotographer Dan Bartlett took a photo of the comet from June Lake in California, with a distinct golden glow and a long ribbon-like tail visible. &nbsp;"This comet was not supposed to survive its October 8th perihelion, but it did," he said. It’s not clear why the comet turned golden, but some scientists believe it could be due to the relative lack of carbon-bearing molecules in the comet's coma. C/2025 K1 is now moving towards Earth, and will pass at its closest point on November 25, when it will be 60 million km away. It is expected to lose more matter till then. So we’ll have to wait and watch how it continues to change till then.&nbsp;<h2>C/2025 K1 turns into a golden ribbon</h2> Most comets turn green near the Sun because of either dicarbon or cyanide in their comas. "Devil comet" 12P/Pons-Brooks and C/2022 E3, also known as the "green comet", also had a greenish hue. But the “other Atlas” turned golden, and astronomer David Schleicher says that this could be because it lacks "carbon-bearing molecules, such as dicarbon, carbon monoxide and cyanide." Only two other comets are known to exhibit similar features, he says. However, he said, "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. &nbsp;

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. 

Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS), dubbed the “other Atlas”, has broken up into several pieces. It was discovered in May by astronomers at the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) and reached perihelion on October 8. It was expected to be killed by our star, but observations showed that it survived. However, astronomer Gianluca Masi in Manciano, Italy, has now discovered that the comet has fragmented into several pieces. The gravitational force of the Sun stretched it to the limit, breaking it apart while letting it survive. "Several parts (sub-nuclei or clouds of debris) are visible, also a plume just below the leading (the first from the left) fragment," Masi, the founder of The Virtual Telescope Project, shared. It is called the “other Atlas” because right now, C/2025 N1 ATLAS, or 3I/ATLAS, is hogging all the limelight for being only the third interstellar visitor. Also Read: The 'other Atlas' comet that should have died near the Sun turns GOLDEN C/2025 K1 suddenly brightened around perihelion, changing it colour from green to golden, a rarity for comets. Astrophotographer Dan Bartlett took a photo of the comet from June Lake in California, with a distinct golden glow and a long ribbon-like tail visible. "This comet was not supposed to survive its October 8th perihelion, but it did," he said. It’s not clear why the comet turned golden, but some scientists believe it could be due to the relative lack of carbon-bearing molecules in the comet's coma. C/2025 K1 is now moving towards Earth, and will pass at its closest point on November 25, when it will be 60 million km away. It is expected to lose more matter till then. So we’ll have to wait and watch how it continues to change till then. C/2025 K1 turns into a golden ribbon Most comets turn green near the Sun because of either dicarbon or cyanide in their comas. "Devil comet" 12P/Pons-Brooks and C/2022 E3, also known as the "green comet", also had a greenish hue. But the “other Atlas” turned golden, and astronomer David Schleicher says that this could be because it lacks "carbon-bearing molecules, such as dicarbon, carbon monoxide and cyanide." Only two other comets are known to exhibit similar features, he says. However, he said, "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.

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.&nbsp;

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

3I/ATLAS is baffling astronomers with dual behaviour, making one kind of appearance and then soon looking like something completely different. On November 8, it showed a "complex tail structure" captured by M. Jäger, G. Rhemann and E. Prosperi. Then the very next day, Michael Buechner and Frank Niebling saw what they termed "nice tail structures", including the "antitail" and the "smoking" tail. Now, David Jewitt and Jane Luu captured 3I/ATLAS on the Nordic Optical Telescope, looking like a ball of light and "an anti-tail pointing towards the Sun." Harvard scientist Avi Loeb pointed out the anti-tail while sharing the latest images of the interstellar comet. A few days back, he had also stated that it likely exploded into several fragments near the Sun, which would explain why it suddenly brightened. However, pictures show that it is still perfectly intact. This Loeb says is another anomaly, something not normal for a regular comet.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-nasa-update-latest-hiding-pristine-material-and-is-no-longer-a-relic-of-its-pas-1762858620116">3I/ATLAS hiding pristine material, but is no longer a relic of its past — Study examines NASA data</a> &nbsp;<h2>Anti-tail pointing towards the Sun is present, Loeb says</h2>He says the latest image of 3I/ATLAS taken from the Canary Islands resembles the image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on July 21, 2025, which showed an anti-tail pointing towards the Sun. He further talked about how it is still a whole body, despite showing complex jet structures in other photos. "Given the large-scale jets reported recently, the fact that 3I/ATLAS remains a single body is surprising for a natural comet. An earlier image measured jets towards the Sun, measuring approximately 1 million kilometres. He says the jets also offer insights into the size of the interstellar comet, based on which the numbers don't add up to prove that it is a natural comet while still being "a single body that maintained its integrity and did not break up into numerous fragments."&nbsp;Loeb says that an anti-tail indicates that the object is "trying to pick up speed through the gravitational assist from the Sun." He says, "Technological thrusters which point their exhaust towards the Sun would accelerate away from the Sun. This post-perihelion manoeuvre might be employed by a spacecraft that aims to gain speed rather than slow down through the gravitational assist from the Sun." Meanwhile, almost everyone else is of the view that 3I/ATLAS is a comet and nothing else. Loeb has challenged them to explain the several anomalies, including the latest one, if it is a natural body.&nbsp;

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.

3I/ATLAS is baffling astronomers with dual behaviour, making one kind of appearance and then soon looking like something completely different. On November 8, it showed a "complex tail structure" captured by M. Jäger, G. Rhemann and E. Prosperi. Then the very next day, Michael Buechner and Frank Niebling saw what they termed "nice tail structures", including the "antitail" and the "smoking" tail. Now, David Jewitt and Jane Luu captured 3I/ATLAS on the Nordic Optical Telescope, looking like a ball of light and "an anti-tail pointing towards the Sun." Harvard scientist Avi Loeb pointed out the anti-tail while sharing the latest images of the interstellar comet. A few days back, he had also stated that it likely exploded into several fragments near the Sun, which would explain why it suddenly brightened. However, pictures show that it is still perfectly intact. This Loeb says is another anomaly, something not normal for a regular comet. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS hiding pristine material, but is no longer a relic of its past — Study examines NASA data Anti-tail pointing towards the Sun is present, Loeb says He says the latest image of 3I/ATLAS taken from the Canary Islands resembles the image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on July 21, 2025, which showed an anti-tail pointing towards the Sun. He further talked about how it is still a whole body, despite showing complex jet structures in other photos. "Given the large-scale jets reported recently, the fact that 3I/ATLAS remains a single body is surprising for a natural comet. An earlier image measured jets towards the Sun, measuring approximately 1 million kilometres. He says the jets also offer insights into the size of the interstellar comet, based on which the numbers don't add up to prove that it is a natural comet while still being "a single body that maintained its integrity and did not break up into numerous fragments." Loeb says that an anti-tail indicates that the object is "trying to pick up speed through the gravitational assist from the Sun." He says, "Technological thrusters which point their exhaust towards the Sun would accelerate away from the Sun. This post-perihelion manoeuvre might be employed by a spacecraft that aims to gain speed rather than slow down through the gravitational assist from the Sun." Meanwhile, almost everyone else is of the view that 3I/ATLAS is a comet and nothing else. Loeb has challenged them to explain the several anomalies, including the latest one, if it is a natural body.

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.

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 is the toast of the town ever since it was discovered on July 1. It is only the third interstellar object (ISO) noticed in the solar system. It recently passed its closest point to the Sun and is now on a trajectory towards Earth. However, it poses no threat to our planet and will pass us by at a safe distance. But what if it were to slam into Earth? Which parts would face its fury? Scientists have now determined the areas on Earth most at risk of being devastated by an interstellar visitor. According to a new study, &nbsp;titled "The Distribution of Earth-Impacting Interstellar Objects", &nbsp;low latitudes near the equator face the greatest risk from an ISO. The Northern Hemisphere is also vulnerable to an impact, albeit not as much. Notably, 90 per cent of the human population lives in this region of the planet. Which means, if an interstellar object were to crash into Earth, the majority of the population could be killed.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-nasa-update-latest-hiding-pristine-material-and-is-no-longer-a-relic-of-its-pas-1762858620116">3I/ATLAS hiding pristine material, but is no longer a relic of its past — Study examines NASA data</a><h2>Where are hazardous interstellar objects expected to travel from?</h2>Available online at arxiv.org, and first reported by Universe Today, the study states, "In this paper, we calculate the expected orbital elements, radiants, and velocities of Earth-impacting interstellar objects." Their calculations are based purely on interstellar objects that originate in M-stars, also known as red dwarfs. They are the most abundantly found stars in the Milky Way, hence most ISOs would be ejected from such solar systems, the authors wrote. They also deduced that most ISOs would likely come from two directions - the solar apex and the galactic plane. The former is the Sun's path through the Milky Way, while the latter is the flat, disk-shaped region that the Milky Way occupies. The galactic plane is also where we find the most stars.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-latest-updates-today-emits-radio-signals-near-sun-1762603420289">First radio signal detected from 3I/ATLAS as it swiped past the Sun</a> &nbsp;<h2>Slow or fast, which interstellar objects pose a threat?</h2>Also, the objects that threaten Earth more will move at much slower speeds because the Sun's gravity can preferentially capture such objects and shift them into Earth-crossing trajectories. This does not mean that objects racing through at fast speeds will miss us. The faster ISOs are more likely to arrive in the Spring, as at this time the Earth is moving toward the solar apex. But we'll face those with a higher likelihood of frequent impacts in the winter, since at that time, Earth is positioned in a place where the Sun is moving away from.&nbsp;While the authors stressed that their work is mostly about M-star kinematics, they admitted "that the main points in their work likely apply to other kinematics." "The salient features summarised in this section presumably also apply to different kinematics, perhaps to a muted or more distinct overall effect," the researchers write.

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? 

3I/ATLAS is the toast of the town ever since it was discovered on July 1. It is only the third interstellar object (ISO) noticed in the solar system. It recently passed its closest point to the Sun and is now on a trajectory towards Earth. However, it poses no threat to our planet and will pass us by at a safe distance. But what if it were to slam into Earth? Which parts would face its fury? Scientists have now determined the areas on Earth most at risk of being devastated by an interstellar visitor. According to a new study, titled "The Distribution of Earth-Impacting Interstellar Objects", low latitudes near the equator face the greatest risk from an ISO. The Northern Hemisphere is also vulnerable to an impact, albeit not as much. Notably, 90 per cent of the human population lives in this region of the planet. Which means, if an interstellar object were to crash into Earth, the majority of the population could be killed. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS hiding pristine material, but is no longer a relic of its past — Study examines NASA data Where are hazardous interstellar objects expected to travel from? Available online at arxiv.org, and first reported by Universe Today, the study states, "In this paper, we calculate the expected orbital elements, radiants, and velocities of Earth-impacting interstellar objects." Their calculations are based purely on interstellar objects that originate in M-stars, also known as red dwarfs. They are the most abundantly found stars in the Milky Way, hence most ISOs would be ejected from such solar systems, the authors wrote. They also deduced that most ISOs would likely come from two directions - the solar apex and the galactic plane. The former is the Sun's path through the Milky Way, while the latter is the flat, disk-shaped region that the Milky Way occupies. The galactic plane is also where we find the most stars. Also Read: First radio signal detected from 3I/ATLAS as it swiped past the Sun Slow or fast, which interstellar objects pose a threat? Also, the objects that threaten Earth more will move at much slower speeds because the Sun's gravity can preferentially capture such objects and shift them into Earth-crossing trajectories. This does not mean that objects racing through at fast speeds will miss us. The faster ISOs are more likely to arrive in the Spring, as at this time the Earth is moving toward the solar apex. But we'll face those with a higher likelihood of frequent impacts in the winter, since at that time, Earth is positioned in a place where the Sun is moving away from. While the authors stressed that their work is mostly about M-star kinematics, they admitted "that the main points in their work likely apply to other kinematics." "The salient features summarised in this section presumably also apply to different kinematics, perhaps to a muted or more distinct overall effect," the researchers write.

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?&nbsp;

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

The James Webb Space Telescope has observed something rather fascinating about 3I/ATLAS, the third interstellar visitor to our solar system. Not just JWST, but Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionisation, and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) have also noticed how the ratio of carbon dioxide to water in the comet's coma is not normal. "The ratio measured for the amount of CO2 gas relative to H2O is among the highest ever observed in a solar system comet, demonstrating that the coma of 3I/ATLAS is very CO2-rich," NASA said some time back. "This may indicate that 3I/ATLAS was exposed to higher levels of radiation than comets from inside the solar system or that it formed in a region of its original planetary disk where CO2 ice naturally freezes out from the gas," it added. Now, a new study has also pointed out that the comet is a battered and bruised version of itself following billions of years of interstellar journey.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/did-3i-atlas-explode-near-sun-that-would-explain-sudden-brightening-and-jets-1762833139065">Did 3I/ATLAS explode near Sun? That would explain sudden brightening and jets. If not, then...</a>&nbsp;<h2>Two theories that did not explain the odd CO2 and water ratio in 3I/ATLAS</h2>A team of astronomers from Belgium and the USA studied the composition of 3I/ATLAS and posted the findings on the preprint server arXiv. They tried to explain the odd ratios seen by JWST and others, and why they were observed when the object was so far from the radiation of our Sun. "JWST/NIRSpec measurements show CO2/H2O = 7.6 ± 0.3, placing 3I/ATLAS 4.5σ above solar system trends at the observed heliocentric distance," the authors wrote in the paper. Two of their hypotheses did not fit the bill - Either the protoplanetary disks where it originated had certain physical conditions that could alter carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide presence, or Co was destroyed mid-plane in the protoplanetary disk, causing CO2 to spike.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-latest-updates-today-emits-radio-signals-near-sun-1762603420289">First radio signal detected from 3I/ATLAS as it swiped past the Sun</a> &nbsp;<h2>3I/ATLAS is hiding original material inside</h2>The one that explained it aptly was the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) processing. Under this, galactic cosmic rays converted carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. This led to the creation of an organic-rich, irradiated crust on the comet's nucleus over a billion years. "Laboratory experiments demonstrate that GCR irradiation efficiently converts CO to CO2 while synthesising organic-rich crusts, suggesting that the outer layers of 3I/ATLAS consist of irradiated material whose properties are consistent with the observed composition of 3I/ATLAS coma and with its observed spectral reddening," the authors wrote. The outgassing data show that the material inside the comet remains untouched.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/live-blog-3i-atlas-live-tracker-long-interstellar-journey-has-battered-interstellar-comet-s-face-1762844653399">3I/ATLAS Live Tracker: Did interstellar comet rupture into 16 pieces near the Sun?</a> &nbsp;<h2>What does this discovery mean?&nbsp;</h2>If this is true for 3I/ATLAS and other interstellar objects, then it means humans would never be able to use them to study other star systems. "Rather than being pristine messengers from distant planetary systems, interstellar objects may instead carry signatures of processed material shaped by Gyr-scale cosmic-ray exposure," the paper states. These changes could have happened in their "parent stellar systems, prior to ejection, and during their interstellar transit to the solar system."&nbsp;So, while the original material sits carefully cocooned inside the outer shell, what we are able to see are the scars it endured during its trip and not its true self.&nbsp;

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.

The James Webb Space Telescope has observed something rather fascinating about 3I/ATLAS, the third interstellar visitor to our solar system. Not just JWST, but Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionisation, and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) have also noticed how the ratio of carbon dioxide to water in the comet's coma is not normal. "The ratio measured for the amount of CO2 gas relative to H2O is among the highest ever observed in a solar system comet, demonstrating that the coma of 3I/ATLAS is very CO2-rich," NASA said some time back. "This may indicate that 3I/ATLAS was exposed to higher levels of radiation than comets from inside the solar system or that it formed in a region of its original planetary disk where CO2 ice naturally freezes out from the gas," it added. Now, a new study has also pointed out that the comet is a battered and bruised version of itself following billions of years of interstellar journey. Also Read: Did 3I/ATLAS explode near Sun? That would explain sudden brightening and jets. If not, then... Two theories that did not explain the odd CO2 and water ratio in 3I/ATLAS A team of astronomers from Belgium and the USA studied the composition of 3I/ATLAS and posted the findings on the preprint server arXiv. They tried to explain the odd ratios seen by JWST and others, and why they were observed when the object was so far from the radiation of our Sun. "JWST/NIRSpec measurements show CO2/H2O = 7.6 ± 0.3, placing 3I/ATLAS 4.5σ above solar system trends at the observed heliocentric distance," the authors wrote in the paper. Two of their hypotheses did not fit the bill - Either the protoplanetary disks where it originated had certain physical conditions that could alter carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide presence, or Co was destroyed mid-plane in the protoplanetary disk, causing CO2 to spike. Also Read: First radio signal detected from 3I/ATLAS as it swiped past the Sun 3I/ATLAS is hiding original material inside The one that explained it aptly was the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) processing. Under this, galactic cosmic rays converted carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. This led to the creation of an organic-rich, irradiated crust on the comet's nucleus over a billion years. "Laboratory experiments demonstrate that GCR irradiation efficiently converts CO to CO2 while synthesising organic-rich crusts, suggesting that the outer layers of 3I/ATLAS consist of irradiated material whose properties are consistent with the observed composition of 3I/ATLAS coma and with its observed spectral reddening," the authors wrote. The outgassing data show that the material inside the comet remains untouched. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS Live Tracker: Did interstellar comet rupture into 16 pieces near the Sun? What does this discovery mean? If this is true for 3I/ATLAS and other interstellar objects, then it means humans would never be able to use them to study other star systems. "Rather than being pristine messengers from distant planetary systems, interstellar objects may instead carry signatures of processed material shaped by Gyr-scale cosmic-ray exposure," the paper states. These changes could have happened in their "parent stellar systems, prior to ejection, and during their interstellar transit to the solar system." So, while the original material sits carefully cocooned inside the outer shell, what we are able to see are the scars it endured during its trip and not its true self.

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

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS brightened up near the Sun at perihelion, and also lost a lot of mass, both of which were several magnitudes more than expected. Recent images show strange jet structures emanating from it, in "at least seven directions." Now Harvard scientist Avi Loeb has hypothesised that it looks like 3I/ATLAS exploded near the Sun, an occurrence that could explain both the brightening and loss of mass. He states that according to data, on August 6, 2025, 3I/ATLAS lost only 150 kilograms of mass per second, as observed by the Webb telescope. But the latest images show that mass loss at perihelion is "4 orders of magnitude larger, about 2 million kilograms per second." He wrote, "Since the surface-to-mass ratio scales inversely with the characteristic radius of fragments, an increase in surface area by a minimum factor of 16 requires that 3I/ATLAS broke into at least 16 equal pieces, and likely many more." In case it is a natural comet, then the sudden brightening that was noted were "fireworks" from the explosion.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/new-3i-atlas-image-shows-strange-sunward-jet-raising-further-questions-1762745044299">New 3I/ATLAS image shows strange jets shooting out of interstellar object</a>&nbsp;<h2>If 3I/ATLAS has remained intact, then it could be something else</h2>3I/ATLAS might soon start resembling the comet Shoemaker-Levi 9 that was torn off by Jupiter's gravity in 1994, leading the fragments to collide with the planet. But then again, in case the interstellar comet has not been broken down by the Sun and stayed "intact", then it might be a hint of it being an unnatural object, Loeb said. He once again highlighted that the earliest observations show that 3I/ATLAS has a mass that is "over a million times more than the inferred mass of 1I/`Oumuamua." It is estimated to be 33 billion tons, he said, pointing out as one of the first anomalies. If this is the case, then, Loeb says, “Houston, we have a problem” if it is a natural comet hypothesis. "The required surface area of 3I/ATLAS to provide the inferred mass loss from the latest post-perihelion image is at least 16 times larger than the upper limit derived from its Hubble image on July 21, 2025," he wrote.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-latest-updates-today-emits-radio-signals-near-sun-1762603420289">First radio signal detected from 3I/ATLAS as it swiped past the Sun</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;We'll have to wait for a clearer picture of 3I/ATLAS and how the Sun might have changed it. Latest images show jets shooting out of the object, with at least one anti-tail, and more jets in other directions. Michael Buechner and Frank Niebling shared pictures of the comet, with the "sunward jets measuring 0.95 million kilometres, while the tail jetting away from the Sun is about 2.85 million kilometres long." A better picture can be observed only by the end of November and early December, when it starts getting closer to Earth. It also turned bright blue, changed trajectory and displayed non-gravitational acceleration, all of which have puzzled scientists. &nbsp;

3I/ATLAS could have exploded near the Sun if it is a comet, explaining the sudden brightening and the shooting jets observed recently. However, in case it didn't, then it might point to the theory proposed by Avi Loeb that it could be something else. 

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS brightened up near the Sun at perihelion, and also lost a lot of mass, both of which were several magnitudes more than expected. Recent images show strange jet structures emanating from it, in "at least seven directions." Now Harvard scientist Avi Loeb has hypothesised that it looks like 3I/ATLAS exploded near the Sun, an occurrence that could explain both the brightening and loss of mass. He states that according to data, on August 6, 2025, 3I/ATLAS lost only 150 kilograms of mass per second, as observed by the Webb telescope. But the latest images show that mass loss at perihelion is "4 orders of magnitude larger, about 2 million kilograms per second." He wrote, "Since the surface-to-mass ratio scales inversely with the characteristic radius of fragments, an increase in surface area by a minimum factor of 16 requires that 3I/ATLAS broke into at least 16 equal pieces, and likely many more." In case it is a natural comet, then the sudden brightening that was noted were "fireworks" from the explosion. Also Read: New 3I/ATLAS image shows strange jets shooting out of interstellar object If 3I/ATLAS has remained intact, then it could be something else 3I/ATLAS might soon start resembling the comet Shoemaker-Levi 9 that was torn off by Jupiter's gravity in 1994, leading the fragments to collide with the planet. But then again, in case the interstellar comet has not been broken down by the Sun and stayed "intact", then it might be a hint of it being an unnatural object, Loeb said. He once again highlighted that the earliest observations show that 3I/ATLAS has a mass that is "over a million times more than the inferred mass of 1I/`Oumuamua." It is estimated to be 33 billion tons, he said, pointing out as one of the first anomalies. If this is the case, then, Loeb says, “Houston, we have a problem” if it is a natural comet hypothesis. "The required surface area of 3I/ATLAS to provide the inferred mass loss from the latest post-perihelion image is at least 16 times larger than the upper limit derived from its Hubble image on July 21, 2025," he wrote. Also Read: First radio signal detected from 3I/ATLAS as it swiped past the Sun We'll have to wait for a clearer picture of 3I/ATLAS and how the Sun might have changed it. Latest images show jets shooting out of the object, with at least one anti-tail, and more jets in other directions. Michael Buechner and Frank Niebling shared pictures of the comet, with the "sunward jets measuring 0.95 million kilometres, while the tail jetting away from the Sun is about 2.85 million kilometres long." A better picture can be observed only by the end of November and early December, when it starts getting closer to Earth. It also turned bright blue, changed trajectory and displayed non-gravitational acceleration, all of which have puzzled scientists.

3I/ATLAS could have exploded near the Sun if it is a comet, explaining the sudden brightening and the shooting jets observed recently. However, in case it didn't, then it might point to the theory proposed by Avi Loeb that it could be something else.&nbsp;

Did 3I/ATLAS explode near Sun? That would explain sudden brightening and jets. If not, then...

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is displaying two anti-tail jets and a longer jet in the other direction in a new image shared by two British astronomers. They shared that the photo was taken on November 9 and "is heavily processed to show the antitail and the smoking tail. It is a combination of a picture series taken with two telescopes, which Michael Buechner and Frank Niebling shared. While the object once again has a tail, what baffles scientists is the other jets that seem to be directed towards the Sun. Harvard scientist Avi Loeb wrote that the picture shows "two anti-tail jets out to 10 arcminutes towards the Sun accompanied by a longer collimated jet." The sunward jets measure 0.95 million kilometres, while the tail jetting away from the Sun is about 2.85 million kilometres long. This is way bigger than the "glowing halo around 3I/ATLAS" captured by the Hubble Space Telescope on July 21.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-latest-updates-today-emits-radio-signals-near-sun-1762603420289">First radio signal detected from 3I/ATLAS as it swiped past the Sun</a> &nbsp;<h2>Probes won't be able to intercept jets from 3I/ATLAS</h2>Loeb says the size of the jets means that particle probes on Earth-based satellites won't be able to capture the particles since 3I/ATLAS will be 269 million kilometres at its nearest point from Earth, about a hundred times larger than the extent of the jet structure seen in the latest images. He says, the same goes for NASA’s Juno spacecraft around Jupiter, which will observe it on March 16, 2026, from a distance of 53 million kilometres. ESA’s JUICE spacecraft, travelling to Jupiter, is currently 64 million kilometres from 3I/ATLAS and won't be able to intercept these jets either.&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/mystery-object-from-interstellar-space-grows-mysteriously-brighter-gravitas-1762458808477/embed&nbsp;Loeb has pointed out a strange feature of the jet. He cites that the solar wind flows at a speed of about 400 kilometres per second, a thousand times larger than the outflow speed from a natural comet. But in case of the anti-tail seen in 3I/ATLAS, the outermost mass density "is a million times bigger than that of the solar wind." He inferred, based on the observations and his calculations, that the diameter of 3I/ATLAS must be bigger than five kilometres. "If it is a natural comet and most of its nucleus survived perihelion, then the diameter of 3I/ATLAS should be 10 kilometres or larger. He once again raised doubts over its mass, which is likely over 50 billion tons, at least a million times more than the inferred mass of 1I/`Oumuamua. This, he says, is almost impossible to happen before we see much smaller interstellar objects.

3i/ATLAS update today: A new photo taken by British astronomers Michael Buechner and Frank Niebling shows jets emanating from the interstellar comet in at least two directions. But their size means that probes might not be able to analyse these mysterious structures. 

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is displaying two anti-tail jets and a longer jet in the other direction in a new image shared by two British astronomers. They shared that the photo was taken on November 9 and "is heavily processed to show the antitail and the smoking tail. It is a combination of a picture series taken with two telescopes, which Michael Buechner and Frank Niebling shared. While the object once again has a tail, what baffles scientists is the other jets that seem to be directed towards the Sun. Harvard scientist Avi Loeb wrote that the picture shows "two anti-tail jets out to 10 arcminutes towards the Sun accompanied by a longer collimated jet." The sunward jets measure 0.95 million kilometres, while the tail jetting away from the Sun is about 2.85 million kilometres long. This is way bigger than the "glowing halo around 3I/ATLAS" captured by the Hubble Space Telescope on July 21. Also Read: First radio signal detected from 3I/ATLAS as it swiped past the Sun Probes won't be able to intercept jets from 3I/ATLAS Loeb says the size of the jets means that particle probes on Earth-based satellites won't be able to capture the particles since 3I/ATLAS will be 269 million kilometres at its nearest point from Earth, about a hundred times larger than the extent of the jet structure seen in the latest images. He says, the same goes for NASA’s Juno spacecraft around Jupiter, which will observe it on March 16, 2026, from a distance of 53 million kilometres. ESA’s JUICE spacecraft, travelling to Jupiter, is currently 64 million kilometres from 3I/ATLAS and won't be able to intercept these jets either. https://www.wionews.com/videos/mystery-object-from-interstellar-space-grows-mysteriously-brighter-gravitas-1762458808477/embed Loeb has pointed out a strange feature of the jet. He cites that the solar wind flows at a speed of about 400 kilometres per second, a thousand times larger than the outflow speed from a natural comet. But in case of the anti-tail seen in 3I/ATLAS, the outermost mass density "is a million times bigger than that of the solar wind." He inferred, based on the observations and his calculations, that the diameter of 3I/ATLAS must be bigger than five kilometres. "If it is a natural comet and most of its nucleus survived perihelion, then the diameter of 3I/ATLAS should be 10 kilometres or larger. He once again raised doubts over its mass, which is likely over 50 billion tons, at least a million times more than the inferred mass of 1I/`Oumuamua. This, he says, is almost impossible to happen before we see much smaller interstellar objects.

3i/ATLAS update today: A new photo taken by British astronomers Michael Buechner and Frank Niebling shows jets emanating from the interstellar comet in at least two directions. But their size means that probes might not be able to analyse these mysterious structures.&nbsp;

New 3I/ATLAS image shows strange jets shooting out of interstellar object

A South African observatory has detected a radio signal emitting from 3I/ATLAS. The MeerKAT radio telescope picked up radio absorption lines by hydroxyl radicals, namely OH molecules, from the interstellar object. The OH absorption signal was detected in two spectral lines at radio frequencies of 1.665 and 1.667 gigahertz. The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory had also tried to detect these lines on September 20 and 28, 2025, but the effort was in vain. It tasted success on October 24, 2025, when the angular separation of 3I/ATLAS from the Sun was 3.76 degrees. Harvard scientist Avi Loeb reported about the discovery in his blog, stating that "the Doppler shift of the OH absorption results from the full speed of 3I/ATLAS relative to Earth."&nbsp;At this place, the distance between 3I/ATLAS and the Sun was 1.38 times that of Earth and Sun. &nbsp;"The resulting thermal speed of the OH molecules shed from the surface of 3I/ATLAS at a temperature of ~230 degrees Kelvin," Loeb wrote. This is the first radio detection from the interstellar object since it was discovered on July 1. Since then, it has displayed several oddities and anomalies that have stumped scientists. 3I/ATLAS virtually has no tail, and in fact, had an anti-tail initially.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientist-estimates-interstellar-object-3i-atlas-beamed-the-wow-signal-48-years-ago-1759119107709">Scientist estimates interstellar object 3I/Atlas beamed the Wow! Signal 48 years ago - 'How powerful was...'</a>&nbsp;Loen has previously raised the possibility that the Wow! Signal detected in 1977 could have been sent by 3I/ATLAS. Following his calculations, he reached out to radio observatories like MeerKAT to search for radio emission from the alien object. "So far, there was no report on a radio detection of 3I/ATLAS other than the OH absorption signal," Loeb said. However, he is hoping that when it is 53 million kilometres from Jupiter on March 16, 2026, "the Juno spacecraft will use its dipole antenna to search for a radio signal from 3I/ATLAS at low frequencies."&nbsp;<h2>Wow! Signal and 3I/ATLAS</h2>In September, Loeb said that his calculations showed that 3I/ATLAS was coming from almost the same direction in space as the epic Wow! Signal was detected in 1977. "The arrival direction of 3I/ATLAS coincided to within 9 degrees with the arrival direction of the Wow! Signal," he said.&nbsp;Loeb added that the "chance of two random directions in the sky being aligned to that level is about 0.6 per cent," so it is possible that 3I/ATLAS could have emitted the Wow! Signal. This strange signal remains unexplained to date. It was detected by SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) astronomer Jerry R. Ehman who was using the Ohio State University’s Big Ear radio telescope at the time. He was stumped to notice a sudden signal and simply wrote the words "Wow" on a piece of paper, thus lending it its name.

 3I/ATLAS emits first radio signal: The MeerKAT radio telescope at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory has announced the detection of the first-ever signal from the interstellar object. The detection was made on October 24, after two failed attempts in September.

A South African observatory has detected a radio signal emitting from 3I/ATLAS. The MeerKAT radio telescope picked up radio absorption lines by hydroxyl radicals, namely OH molecules, from the interstellar object. The OH absorption signal was detected in two spectral lines at radio frequencies of 1.665 and 1.667 gigahertz. The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory had also tried to detect these lines on September 20 and 28, 2025, but the effort was in vain. It tasted success on October 24, 2025, when the angular separation of 3I/ATLAS from the Sun was 3.76 degrees. Harvard scientist Avi Loeb reported about the discovery in his blog, stating that "the Doppler shift of the OH absorption results from the full speed of 3I/ATLAS relative to Earth." At this place, the distance between 3I/ATLAS and the Sun was 1.38 times that of Earth and Sun. "The resulting thermal speed of the OH molecules shed from the surface of 3I/ATLAS at a temperature of ~230 degrees Kelvin," Loeb wrote. This is the first radio detection from the interstellar object since it was discovered on July 1. Since then, it has displayed several oddities and anomalies that have stumped scientists. 3I/ATLAS virtually has no tail, and in fact, had an anti-tail initially. Also Read: Scientist estimates interstellar object 3I/Atlas beamed the Wow! Signal 48 years ago - 'How powerful was...' Loen has previously raised the possibility that the Wow! Signal detected in 1977 could have been sent by 3I/ATLAS. Following his calculations, he reached out to radio observatories like MeerKAT to search for radio emission from the alien object. "So far, there was no report on a radio detection of 3I/ATLAS other than the OH absorption signal," Loeb said. However, he is hoping that when it is 53 million kilometres from Jupiter on March 16, 2026, "the Juno spacecraft will use its dipole antenna to search for a radio signal from 3I/ATLAS at low frequencies." Wow! Signal and 3I/ATLAS In September, Loeb said that his calculations showed that 3I/ATLAS was coming from almost the same direction in space as the epic Wow! Signal was detected in 1977. "The arrival direction of 3I/ATLAS coincided to within 9 degrees with the arrival direction of the Wow! Signal," he said. Loeb added that the "chance of two random directions in the sky being aligned to that level is about 0.6 per cent," so it is possible that 3I/ATLAS could have emitted the Wow! Signal. This strange signal remains unexplained to date. It was detected by SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) astronomer Jerry R. Ehman who was using the Ohio State University’s Big Ear radio telescope at the time. He was stumped to notice a sudden signal and simply wrote the words "Wow" on a piece of paper, thus lending it its name.

&nbsp;3I/ATLAS emits first radio signal: The MeerKAT radio telescope at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory has announced the detection of the first-ever signal from the interstellar object. The detection was made on October 24, after two failed attempts in September.

First radio signal detected from 3I/ATLAS as it swiped past the Sun

3I/ATLAS has now been a few times since perihelion. We have at least two new images of the comet after its encounter with the Sun. The first one was taken from the Lowell Observatory in Arizona, and the second was clicked by the R. Naves Observatory. The interstellar comet has also been pictured by the Virtual Telescope Project. 3I/ATLAS appears extremely bright in all these pictures, barring the presence of a tail. Almost all of these photos show a bright coma, but no tail. This has been a topic of debate ever since it was first observed on July 1, 2025. Towards September, it did grow a faint tail, as observed by the Gemini Observatory in live viewing. The discovery was made during a public outreach initiative organised by NSF NOIRLab. &nbsp;The session conducted on August 27 revealed that the object was starting to show signs of a comet, with a broad coma.Also Read: <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: ExoMars (TGO) captures bright coma but no tail</a>&nbsp;<h2>3I/ATLAS photo taken from Mars</h2>But then, the comet swung by Mars on October 2-3. Orbiters from the US, Europe and China saw the object. The European Space Agency was the first to release a photo taken by its ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO). Interestingly, its Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) captured a bright coma, but no tail. ESA said that the "slightly fuzzy white dot moving downwards near the centre of the image" is 3I/ATLAS. ESA said that the photos do not show a tail, which is typically millions of kilometres long as comets move towards the Sun. But in the case of 3I/Atlas, it is much dimmer than the coma. "We can’t see the tail in the CaSSIS images, but it may become more visible in future observations as the comet continues to heat up and release more ice," the ESA said.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</a><h2>China's orbiter takes photo of 3I/ATLAS from Mars</h2>However, this did not happen. The second photo taken by China's Tianwen-1 orbiter on October 3 was released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Thursday (Nov 6). It shows a faint, fuzzy ball of light coma, a cloud of gas and dust which appears as volatile ice vaporises. The space agency's statement mentions that "the comet's distinctive features" are visible and consist of "a nucleus and a surrounding coma, with a diameter reaching several thousand kilometres," with no mention of a tail. "Based on this observational data, researchers are conducting further in-depth studies of ATLAS."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><h2>No tail in any post-perihelion images</h2>3I/ATLAS reached perihelion, its closest point to the Sun, on October 29-30. It wasn't visible for a long time in this position, but it is now emerging from its glare. It has been imaged by some astronomers, and none of the pictures show a tail, only a bright ball of light. Scientists are intrigued by its behaviour, especially since it brightened up way too much, showed sudden acceleration and changed trajectory after swinging by the Sun. None of these behaviours has any conclusive cause yet.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Several photos of 3I/ATLAS have been released in the past few days, all of which show a bright and fuzzy dot in space. Interestingly, none of them shows a tail, something that typically defines a comet. It has also gained speed and changed path, as per NASA data.

3I/ATLAS has now been a few times since perihelion. We have at least two new images of the comet after its encounter with the Sun. The first one was taken from the Lowell Observatory in Arizona, and the second was clicked by the R. Naves Observatory. The interstellar comet has also been pictured by the Virtual Telescope Project. 3I/ATLAS appears extremely bright in all these pictures, barring the presence of a tail. Almost all of these photos show a bright coma, but no tail. This has been a topic of debate ever since it was first observed on July 1, 2025. Towards September, it did grow a faint tail, as observed by the Gemini Observatory in live viewing. The discovery was made during a public outreach initiative organised by NSF NOIRLab. The session conducted on August 27 revealed that the object was starting to show signs of a comet, with a broad coma. Also Read: 3I/Atlas photo taken by Mars orbiter: ExoMars (TGO) captures bright coma but no tail 3I/ATLAS photo taken from Mars But then, the comet swung by Mars on October 2-3. Orbiters from the US, Europe and China saw the object. The European Space Agency was the first to release a photo taken by its ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO). Interestingly, its Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) captured a bright coma, but no tail. ESA said that the "slightly fuzzy white dot moving downwards near the centre of the image" is 3I/ATLAS. ESA said that the photos do not show a tail, which is typically millions of kilometres long as comets move towards the Sun. But in the case of 3I/Atlas, it is much dimmer than the coma. "We can’t see the tail in the CaSSIS images, but it may become more visible in future observations as the comet continues to heat up and release more ice," the ESA said. Also Read: NASA database shows 3I/ATLAS suddenly sped up, changed path after perihelion China's orbiter takes photo of 3I/ATLAS from Mars However, this did not happen. The second photo taken by China's Tianwen-1 orbiter on October 3 was released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Thursday (Nov 6). It shows a faint, fuzzy ball of light coma, a cloud of gas and dust which appears as volatile ice vaporises. The space agency's statement mentions that "the comet's distinctive features" are visible and consist of "a nucleus and a surrounding coma, with a diameter reaching several thousand kilometres," with no mention of a tail. "Based on this observational data, researchers are conducting further in-depth studies of ATLAS." Also Read: 3I/ATLAS lacks clear cometary tail in new images post-perihelion, as 2 new oddities are added No tail in any post-perihelion images 3I/ATLAS reached perihelion, its closest point to the Sun, on October 29-30. It wasn't visible for a long time in this position, but it is now emerging from its glare. It has been imaged by some astronomers, and none of the pictures show a tail, only a bright ball of light. Scientists are intrigued by its behaviour, especially since it brightened up way too much, showed sudden acceleration and changed trajectory after swinging by the Sun. None of these behaviours has any conclusive cause yet.

Several photos of 3I/ATLAS have been released in the past few days, all of which show a bright and fuzzy dot in space. Interestingly, none of them shows a tail, something that typically defines a comet. It has also gained speed and changed path, as per NASA data.

3I/ATLAS post-perihelion photos and China's Mars orbiter image show a tail-less fuzzy dot

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

According to a report, <a href="https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=3I%2FATLAS">NASA database</a> about the position and the movement of 3I/ATLAS shows that the comet shifted unexpectedly near the Sun. &nbsp;In fact, it has changed trajectory as it moves on a path that will bring it close to Earth in December, the Daily Mail reported. It has also sped up immensely compared to its original speed when it was observed in the solar system. The space agency's figures confirm that something moved the object off its predicted path with an extra 'kick'. <a href="https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=3I%2FATLAS">NASA </a>has an easy answer for it - that the Sun's gravity pushed it away just when it reached perihelion. However, other scientists are not so sure about it. 3I/ATLAS was travelling at 209,000 km/hr when it was discovered in July. But after reaching perihelion on October 29, it has picked up further speed and is now soaring at approximately 244,000 km/hr.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>&nbsp;<h2>Sudden movement is beyond the control of Sun's gravity</h2>NASA reportedly confirmed for the first time on Tuesday that its course has suddenly shifted "beyond gravity's control," Daily Mail reported. This happened right after perihelion. At this point, 3I/ATLAS was not visible from Earth as it was hiding in the Sun's glare. Harvard scientist <a href="https://avi-loeb.medium.com/first-evidence-for-a-non-gravitational-acceleration-of-3i-atlas-at-perihelion-2698f6a453fe">Avi Loeb</a> is expecting the object to have at least a 5 billion-ton cloud of gas and dust around it. Astronomers don't yet have evidence that 3I/ATLAS has released anywhere close to this much gas, which would qualify it to be a comet. However, if that does not happen, then it means that something else is powering 3I/ATLAS and could be a sign of a "terrestrial engine." This would also explain the sudden boost in speed.&nbsp;But this push has dropped down in the past few days, and even this is not linked to the Sun's gravity, according to NASA. All this could be related to at least 13% loss of mass in 3I/ATLAS near the Sun, since this would create so much gas that the comet would zoom off suddenly. But this is merely conjecture, and astronomers are yet to see proof of this occurrence. 3I/ATLAS is now becoming visible from Earth. But the best images will only emerge by the end of November and in December, when it will get closest to Earth. The James Webb Space Telescope will be looking for this massive cloud of gas and dust, which will finally ascertain the makeup of this interstellar object.&nbsp;

NASA data shows that 3I/ATLAS picked up speed after perihelion and slightly diverted from its path after reaching the nearest point to the Sun. Meanwhile, NASA has yet to release the photo it took of 3I/ATLAS from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. 

According to a report, NASA database about the position and the movement of 3I/ATLAS shows that the comet shifted unexpectedly near the Sun. In fact, it has changed trajectory as it moves on a path that will bring it close to Earth in December, the Daily Mail reported. It has also sped up immensely compared to its original speed when it was observed in the solar system. The space agency's figures confirm that something moved the object off its predicted path with an extra 'kick'. NASA has an easy answer for it - that the Sun's gravity pushed it away just when it reached perihelion. However, other scientists are not so sure about it. 3I/ATLAS was travelling at 209,000 km/hr when it was discovered in July. But after reaching perihelion on October 29, it has picked up further speed and is now soaring at approximately 244,000 km/hr. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS lacks clear cometary tail in new images post-perihelion, as 2 new oddities are added Sudden movement is beyond the control of Sun's gravity NASA reportedly confirmed for the first time on Tuesday that its course has suddenly shifted "beyond gravity's control," Daily Mail reported. This happened right after perihelion. At this point, 3I/ATLAS was not visible from Earth as it was hiding in the Sun's glare. Harvard scientist Avi Loeb is expecting the object to have at least a 5 billion-ton cloud of gas and dust around it. Astronomers don't yet have evidence that 3I/ATLAS has released anywhere close to this much gas, which would qualify it to be a comet. However, if that does not happen, then it means that something else is powering 3I/ATLAS and could be a sign of a "terrestrial engine." This would also explain the sudden boost in speed. But this push has dropped down in the past few days, and even this is not linked to the Sun's gravity, according to NASA. All this could be related to at least 13% loss of mass in 3I/ATLAS near the Sun, since this would create so much gas that the comet would zoom off suddenly. But this is merely conjecture, and astronomers are yet to see proof of this occurrence. 3I/ATLAS is now becoming visible from Earth. But the best images will only emerge by the end of November and in December, when it will get closest to Earth. The James Webb Space Telescope will be looking for this massive cloud of gas and dust, which will finally ascertain the makeup of this interstellar object.

NASA data shows that 3I/ATLAS picked up speed after perihelion and slightly diverted from its path after reaching the nearest point to the Sun, a report suggests. Meanwhile, NASA has yet to release the photo it took of 3I/ATLAS from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.&nbsp;

NASA database shows 3I/ATLAS suddenly sped up, changed path after perihelion: Report

3I/ATLAS has become an astronomical enigma that scientists have been trying to decode for weeks. Sometimes it acts like a comet, other times it does not. It does strange things, makes weird manoeuvres and lights up when it should not. What is going on with the interstellar visitor?

3I/ATLAS has become an astronomical enigma that scientists have been trying to decode for weeks. Sometimes it acts like a comet, other times it doesn't. It does strange things, makes weird manoeuvres and lights up when it shouldn't. What's going on with the interstellar visitor?

TALE of the TAIL — 3I/ATLAS is defying the comet rulebook

3I/ATLAS is not showing a visible tail in the latest images taken by the R. Naves Observatory in Spain on November 5. This is one of the few photos that we have of the interstellar comet since perihelion at the end of October. Comets typically get extremely active near the Sun, but the absence of a tail has raised more questions about the nature of this mysterious object. 3I/ATLAS has been exhibiting strange characteristics for weeks now, with several of them coming during its encounter with the Sun. Harvard professor Avi Loeb wrote that "two new images of the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS show a compact source of light without a clear cometary tail." He had earlier said that based on the non-gravitational acceleration observed near the Sun and the speed of the object, it should lose a huge amount of mass, which should be visible in the form of a cloud of gas and dust measuring 5 billion tons.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/unverified-3i-atlas-photo-and-japanese-video-go-viral-nasa-s-silence-fuels-misinformation-on-interstellar-comet-1762311606620">Unverified 3I/ATLAS photo and Japanese video go viral - NASA's silence fuels misinformation on interstellar comet</a>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/interstellar-object-3i-atlas-grows-visible-tail-in-live-gemini-images-1757049928075">Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS grows visible tail in live Gemini images. So, it's a comet?</a>&nbsp;<h2>3I/ATLAS blue colour and non-gravitational acceleration</h2>He wrote that "the mass fraction lost during the perihelion passage of 3I/ATLAS is larger than 13%. For a typical comet, this should have resulted in a massive coma with dust and gas that would have been pushed by the solar radiation pressure and the solar wind into the shape of a typical cometary tail pointing away from the Sun. No such tail is visible in the new images from November 5, 2025." He compared 3I/ATLAS images to those of Comet Lemmon, which is streaking in the skies at the moment. Pictures of the latter show a clear tail extending away from the Sun. This has led him to add a tenth anomaly to the list of nine that he has already flagged, two of which happened at perihelion. Since there is no evidence of "massive evaporation", at least 13% of its mass, Loeb concluded that non-gravitational acceleration is an odd behaviour for 3I/ATLAS. The ninth mystery is how it changes colour near the Sun, turning a bright blue instead of red. The earliest images of the interstellar object also showed a lack of a tail.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/spacecraft-in-deep-space-fires-up-to-study-3i-atlas-twice-here-s-who-s-watching-1762159389496">Spacecraft in deep space fires up to study 3I/ATLAS, TWICE. Here's who's watching</a>&nbsp;In September, the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) on Gemini South at Cerro Pachón in Chile saw a faint tail and a coma. But during July and August, it displayed a sunward jet (anti-tail), which Loeb said was "not an optical illusion". More details are awaited on the lack of a cometary tail in the latest images. NASA is under immense pressure to release the photos of 3I/ATLAS captured by its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter on October 2-3.

3I/ATLAS latest update today: Latest images of the interstellar object do not show a cometary tail, raising questions once again about the nature of 3I/ATLAS, and how it could be different from comets found in the solar system. Meanwhile, we have two new anomalies. 

3I/ATLAS is not showing a visible tail in the latest images taken by the R. Naves Observatory in Spain on November 5. This is one of the few photos that we have of the interstellar comet since perihelion at the end of October. Comets typically get extremely active near the Sun, but the absence of a tail has raised more questions about the nature of this mysterious object. 3I/ATLAS has been exhibiting strange characteristics for weeks now, with several of them coming during its encounter with the Sun. Harvard professor Avi Loeb wrote that "two new images of the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS show a compact source of light without a clear cometary tail." He had earlier said that based on the non-gravitational acceleration observed near the Sun and the speed of the object, it should lose a huge amount of mass, which should be visible in the form of a cloud of gas and dust measuring 5 billion tons. Also Read: Unverified 3I/ATLAS photo and Japanese video go viral - NASA's silence fuels misinformation on interstellar comet Also Read: Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS grows visible tail in live Gemini images. So, it's a comet? 3I/ATLAS blue colour and non-gravitational acceleration He wrote that "the mass fraction lost during the perihelion passage of 3I/ATLAS is larger than 13%. For a typical comet, this should have resulted in a massive coma with dust and gas that would have been pushed by the solar radiation pressure and the solar wind into the shape of a typical cometary tail pointing away from the Sun. No such tail is visible in the new images from November 5, 2025." He compared 3I/ATLAS images to those of Comet Lemmon, which is streaking in the skies at the moment. Pictures of the latter show a clear tail extending away from the Sun. This has led him to add a tenth anomaly to the list of nine that he has already flagged, two of which happened at perihelion. Since there is no evidence of "massive evaporation", at least 13% of its mass, Loeb concluded that non-gravitational acceleration is an odd behaviour for 3I/ATLAS. The ninth mystery is how it changes colour near the Sun, turning a bright blue instead of red. The earliest images of the interstellar object also showed a lack of a tail. Also Read: Spacecraft in deep space fires up to study 3I/ATLAS, TWICE. Here's who's watching In September, the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) on Gemini South at Cerro Pachón in Chile saw a faint tail and a coma. But during July and August, it displayed a sunward jet (anti-tail), which Loeb said was "not an optical illusion". More details are awaited on the lack of a cometary tail in the latest images. NASA is under immense pressure to release the photos of 3I/ATLAS captured by its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter on October 2-3.

3I/ATLAS latest update today: Latest images of the interstellar object do not show a cometary tail, raising questions once again about the nature of 3I/ATLAS, and how it could be different from comets found in the solar system. Meanwhile, we have two new anomalies.&nbsp;

3I/ATLAS lacks clear cometary tail in new images post-perihelion, as 2 new oddities are added

An alleged image of 3I/ATLAS is going viral on social media, with people claiming that it was released by NASA. However, the image remains unverified, but it has still managed to create shock and awe because of the unusual shape. The photo shows an elongated object, almost similar to Oumuamua, the first interstellar visitor. According to the post that carries four images of the supposed object, the "completely different and unexpected structure" was "captured by the Hubble Space Telescope." The post further reads, "According to NASA scientists, 3I/ATLAS appears to have an elongated shape, almost like a spacecraft, surrounded by a bright cocoon of dust." It further states that the "unusually symmetrical" shape of the object has fascinated scientists.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/spacecraft-in-deep-space-fires-up-to-study-3i-atlas-twice-here-s-who-s-watching-1762159389496">Spacecraft in deep space fires up to study 3I/ATLAS, TWICE. Here's who's watching</a> &nbsp;NASA has not officially said anything about the alleged picture of 3I/ATLAS. Meanwhile, another post shows an object claiming to be 3I/ATLAS and pictured by Japanese scientists. "The Japanese strike again with a breathtaking view of 3i Atlas," the caption of a post showing a supposed video of the interstellar object reads. Both posts claiming to show 3I/ATLAS show the gaps in information, especially since NASA has gone mum on the matter since the government shutdown. Harvard scientist Avi Loeb has been calling on NASA to release images of 3I/ATLAS that the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured on October 2-3. But he is yet to receive any response.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Japanese strike again with a breathtaking view of 3i Atlas <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/3IATLAS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#3IATLAS</a> <a href="https://t.co/ydMoDjUq6u">pic.twitter.com/ydMoDjUq6u</a>&mdash; 1000waysto live (@1000waystoair) <a href="https://twitter.com/1000waystoair/status/1985660565025362372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Buenas tardes 😃 Es oficial: la NASA ha confirmado la verdadera forma de 3I/ATLAS, y el descubrimiento ha conmocionado a los astrónomos de todo el mundo. El misterioso visitante interestelar, que antes se creía un simple cometa, ha revelado una estructura completamente… <a href="https://t.co/dOZYZOLvPu">pic.twitter.com/dOZYZOLvPu</a>&mdash; My name is M. Only M (@musicandsoularg) <a href="https://twitter.com/musicandsoularg/status/1985405086705787160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>NASA's silence is creating opportunities for misinformation</h2>With a lack of clear data and the silence of esteemed space agencies that are supposed to share information, it is clear that people are rushing in to take advantage of a situation that is clearly generating global interest among the public. Earlier, NASA's silence led people to speculate that it had likely seen something that it wanted to keep under wraps, and that it could be proof that 3I/ATLAS is extraterrestrial alien technology. Netizens are sure that both the images and the videos are fake. They questioned the language of the video, which is not Japanese. The images in the other post released in the name of NASA also look AI-generated. However, to stop misinformation from spreading, NASA needs to step up and share everything it knows about 3I/ATLAS.

3I/ATLAS is generating immense buzz across the world, so much so that people have started cooking up data on it. Images of the interstellar object allegedly released by NASA started circulating on X this week, along with a video claiming to have been captured by the Japanese.

An alleged image of 3I/ATLAS is going viral on social media, with people claiming that it was released by NASA. However, the image remains unverified, but it has still managed to create shock and awe because of the unusual shape. The photo shows an elongated object, almost similar to Oumuamua, the first interstellar visitor. According to the post that carries four images of the supposed object, the "completely different and unexpected structure" was "captured by the Hubble Space Telescope." The post further reads, "According to NASA scientists, 3I/ATLAS appears to have an elongated shape, almost like a spacecraft, surrounded by a bright cocoon of dust." It further states that the "unusually symmetrical" shape of the object has fascinated scientists. Also Read: Spacecraft in deep space fires up to study 3I/ATLAS, TWICE. Here's who's watching NASA has not officially said anything about the alleged picture of 3I/ATLAS. Meanwhile, another post shows an object claiming to be 3I/ATLAS and pictured by Japanese scientists. "The Japanese strike again with a breathtaking view of 3i Atlas," the caption of a post showing a supposed video of the interstellar object reads. Both posts claiming to show 3I/ATLAS show the gaps in information, especially since NASA has gone mum on the matter since the government shutdown. Harvard scientist Avi Loeb has been calling on NASA to release images of 3I/ATLAS that the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured on October 2-3. But he is yet to receive any response.

3I/ATLAS is generating immense buzz across the world, so much so that people have started cooking up data on it. Images of the interstellar object allegedly released by NASA started circulating on X this week, along with a video claiming to have been captured by the Japanese.

Unverified 3I/ATLAS photo and Japanese video go viral -  NASA's silence fuels misinformation on interstellar comet

Harvard scientist Avi Loeb has been asking NASA to release its observations of 3I/ATLAS made by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. However, he is yet to receive even a simple response on the matter. Meanwhile, when Kim Kardashian asked Sean Duffy, "What's the tea on 3I/ATLAS?", the acting administrator was quick to respond. He commented, "NASA’s observations show that this is the third interstellar comet to pass through our solar system. No aliens. No threat to life here on Earth." Loeb flagged this strange behaviour in his blog and other YouTube shows, saying, why would the NASA chief immediately respond to Kim, “a successful businesswoman”, but not a scientist? The Harvard professor stated that Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna had submitted a letter to Duffy requesting data on 3I/ATLAS taken by NASA’s HiRISE camera "on the same day", October 31. Loeb said even he "requested access to the data from the Principal Investigator of the HiRISE camera team, Professor Alfred McEwen at the University of Arizona," but received "no response" to his email.&nbsp;Seeing how the NASA chief is open to responding to Kim Kardashian, a celebrity, Loeb cheekily headlined his blog "Kim Kardashian is Welcome to Join my Research Team on 3I/ATLAS." Duffy even listed in detail how the third interstellar object got its name. "3 = the third I = interstellar, meaning from beyond our solar system&nbsp; ATLAS = discovered by our Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) team."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/spacecraft-in-deep-space-fires-up-to-study-3i-atlas-twice-here-s-who-s-watching-1762159389496">Spacecraft in deep space fires up to study 3I/ATLAS, TWICE. Here's who's watching</a> &nbsp;Loeb has been lashing out at NASA for holding crucial data taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter when 3I/ATLAS flew by the Red Planet on October 3. He says that the HiRISE camera was able to capture the best images of the object, considering its position. However, the government shutdown and bureaucracy have led to science being held hostage, Loeb said.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-anomalies-might-increase-as-it-emerges-from-sun-glare-1762139821088">3I/ATLAS oddities might increase as it emerges from Sun's glare - 'If 5 billion tons of gas...'</a> &nbsp;<h2>The only photo of 3I/ATLAS during Mars flyby</h2>The only image we have of 3I/ATLAS during its Mars flyby came from the European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. It captured a coma but no tail. Its Mars Express orbiter also saw the alien visitor, but its data is still not out. 3I/ATLAS is right now near the Sun after reaching perihelion on October 29-30. Loeb says the clearest data on its identity would be available after it emerges from its glare. He says if we spot a massive gas cloud measuring about 5 billion tons around it, then it is surely a comet. However, if that is not the case, then something else is at play.&nbsp;

3I/ATLAS latest: Avi Loeb wants Kim Kardashian to join his research team on 3I/ATLAS since Sean Duffy is open to answering her queries about the interstellar comet, but not a scientist or a congresswoman. NASA has not released any data on 3I/ATLAS because of the government shutdown. 

Harvard scientist Avi Loeb has been asking NASA to release its observations of 3I/ATLAS made by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. However, he is yet to receive even a simple response on the matter. Meanwhile, when Kim Kardashian asked Sean Duffy, "What's the tea on 3I/ATLAS?", the acting administrator was quick to respond. He commented, "NASA’s observations show that this is the third interstellar comet to pass through our solar system. No aliens. No threat to life here on Earth." Loeb flagged this strange behaviour in his blog and other YouTube shows, saying, why would the NASA chief immediately respond to Kim, “a successful businesswoman”, but not a scientist? The Harvard professor stated that Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna had submitted a letter to Duffy requesting data on 3I/ATLAS taken by NASA’s HiRISE camera "on the same day", October 31. Loeb said even he "requested access to the data from the Principal Investigator of the HiRISE camera team, Professor Alfred McEwen at the University of Arizona," but received "no response" to his email. Seeing how the NASA chief is open to responding to Kim Kardashian, a celebrity, Loeb cheekily headlined his blog "Kim Kardashian is Welcome to Join my Research Team on 3I/ATLAS." Duffy even listed in detail how the third interstellar object got its name. "3 = the third I = interstellar, meaning from beyond our solar system ATLAS = discovered by our Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) team." Also Read: Spacecraft in deep space fires up to study 3I/ATLAS, TWICE. Here's who's watching Loeb has been lashing out at NASA for holding crucial data taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter when 3I/ATLAS flew by the Red Planet on October 3. He says that the HiRISE camera was able to capture the best images of the object, considering its position. However, the government shutdown and bureaucracy have led to science being held hostage, Loeb said. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS oddities might increase as it emerges from Sun's glare - 'If 5 billion tons of gas...' The only photo of 3I/ATLAS during Mars flyby The only image we have of 3I/ATLAS during its Mars flyby came from the European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. It captured a coma but no tail. Its Mars Express orbiter also saw the alien visitor, but its data is still not out. 3I/ATLAS is right now near the Sun after reaching perihelion on October 29-30. Loeb says the clearest data on its identity would be available after it emerges from its glare. He says if we spot a massive gas cloud measuring about 5 billion tons around it, then it is surely a comet. However, if that is not the case, then something else is at play.

3I/ATLAS latest: Avi Loeb wants Kim Kardashian to join his research team on 3I/ATLAS since Sean Duffy is open to answering her queries about the interstellar comet, but not a scientist or a congresswoman. NASA has not released any data on 3I/ATLAS because of the government shutdown.&nbsp;

3I/ATLAS conundrum: NASA gives Kim Kardashian 'tea' on alien comet, and Loeb now wants her on his team. Here's why

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS mystery continues to deepen after scientists noticed that it behaved strangely near the Sun. Two researchers say that this could be simply because of its home planetary system, or it is possible that interstellar travel changed it.

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS mystery continues to deepen after scientists noticed that it behaved strangely near the Sun. Two researchers say that this could be simply because of its home planetary system, or it is possible that interstellar travel changed it.

Billions of years of interstellar travel likely triggered staggering changes in 3I/ATLAS

Did Elon Musk silence rumours about alien secrets and suicide on Joe Rogan's podcast? The mysterious comet 3I/ATLAS sparked big questions. Find out what Musk really said and why the discussion has captivated many. 

Did Elon Musk silence rumours about alien secrets and suicide on Joe Rogan's podcast? The mysterious comet 3I/ATLAS sparked big questions. Find out what Musk really said and why the discussion has captivated many.&nbsp;

‘Suicide’: Did Elon Musk just deny 3I/ATLAS’s alienship theory on Joe Rogan’s podcast?

The European Space Agency's Jupiter-bound probe is set to study 3I/ATLAS in November. In fact, it would have not one but two opportunities to scan the interstellar comet. Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) is slowly treading towards the three moons of Jupiter, and isn't slated to reach before the early 2030s. However, it will soon be put to work in its journey as the JUICE probe will soon come 64 million kilometres near 3I/ATLAS. IFLScience reported that the JUICE probe will "observe 3I/ATLAS between 2 and 25 November." Olivier Witasse, ESA Project Scientist, said that the closest approach will happen on November 4 when the spacecraft will be 64 million kilometres. Witasse admitted that JUICE wasn't ready for a mid-space probe and is drifting slowly towards the icy moons of Jupiter - Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa. “All this campaign was unexpected for everybody!" he said.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-anomalies-might-increase-as-it-emerges-from-sun-glare-1762139821088">3I/ATLAS oddities might increase as it emerges from Sun's glare - 'If 5 billion tons of gas...'</a>&nbsp;<h2>JUICE fires up camera to study 3I/ATLAS</h2>But the "uniqueness of these observations" led ESA to "prepare this extra observation planning." One camera and other instruments on JUICE are ready to study the comet. "We will be using five instruments: the camera, the near-infrared imaging instrument, the UV spectrometer, the sub-millimetre instrument, and a sensor to image neutral atoms. We are far away (0.5 Astronomical units), therefore, only remote sensing,” Witasse stated. ESA describes this as a great opportunity to study 3I/ATLAS, the third interstellar visitor recorded in our solar system.&nbsp;No details are available on the second observation date. The best viewing date is on November 4 as this is the closest JUICE will get to 3I/ATLAS, as per ESA. However, the second date will also be crucial to learn about the interstellar visitor. But ESA has clarified that data reception and download will take weeks because of the position of 3I/ATLAS. “Due to the position of JUICE with respect to Earth, the data rate is very low. We expect the data to be downloaded only in February 2026,” Witasse explained. Meanwhile, the comet is slowly coming out of the glare of the Sun. It will slowly start becoming visible from Earth, but you will need a powerful telescope to catch a glimpse of 3I/ATLAS. &nbsp;

Spacecraft travelling to study three of Jupiter's icy moons will power up in deep space to study 3I/ATLAS twice this month. The JUICE probe wasn't supposed to be in action during its journey, but will now bear the load of revealing some facets of the interstellar comet.

The European Space Agency's Jupiter-bound probe is set to study 3I/ATLAS in November. In fact, it would have not one but two opportunities to scan the interstellar comet. Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) is slowly treading towards the three moons of Jupiter, and isn't slated to reach before the early 2030s. However, it will soon be put to work in its journey as the JUICE probe will soon come 64 million kilometres near 3I/ATLAS. IFLScience reported that the JUICE probe will "observe 3I/ATLAS between 2 and 25 November." Olivier Witasse, ESA Project Scientist, said that the closest approach will happen on November 4 when the spacecraft will be 64 million kilometres. Witasse admitted that JUICE wasn't ready for a mid-space probe and is drifting slowly towards the icy moons of Jupiter - Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa. “All this campaign was unexpected for everybody!" he said. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS oddities might increase as it emerges from Sun's glare - 'If 5 billion tons of gas...' JUICE fires up camera to study 3I/ATLAS But the "uniqueness of these observations" led ESA to "prepare this extra observation planning." One camera and other instruments on JUICE are ready to study the comet. "We will be using five instruments: the camera, the near-infrared imaging instrument, the UV spectrometer, the sub-millimetre instrument, and a sensor to image neutral atoms. We are far away (0.5 Astronomical units), therefore, only remote sensing,” Witasse stated. ESA describes this as a great opportunity to study 3I/ATLAS, the third interstellar visitor recorded in our solar system. No details are available on the second observation date. The best viewing date is on November 4 as this is the closest JUICE will get to 3I/ATLAS, as per ESA. However, the second date will also be crucial to learn about the interstellar visitor. But ESA has clarified that data reception and download will take weeks because of the position of 3I/ATLAS. “Due to the position of JUICE with respect to Earth, the data rate is very low. We expect the data to be downloaded only in February 2026,” Witasse explained. Meanwhile, the comet is slowly coming out of the glare of the Sun. It will slowly start becoming visible from Earth, but you will need a powerful telescope to catch a glimpse of 3I/ATLAS.

Spacecraft travelling to study three of Jupiter's icy moons will power up in deep space to study 3I/ATLAS twice this month. The JUICE probe wasn't supposed to be in action during its journey, but will now bear the load of revealing some facets of the interstellar comet.

Spacecraft in deep space fires up to study 3I/ATLAS, TWICE. Here's who's watching

Comet 3I/ATLAS is a rare visitor from beyond our solar system. Moving quickly past the Sun, it offers a unique glimpse into other worlds. Its unusual traits puzzle scientists, what secrets does this cosmic traveller hold? Know more below.

Comet 3I/ATLAS is a rare visitor from beyond our solar system. Moving quickly past the Sun, it offers a unique glimpse into other worlds. Its unusual traits puzzle scientists, what secrets does this cosmic traveller hold? Know more below.

Where is 3I/ATLAS right now?

Can you guess how old 3I/ATLAS is? Well, it may be older than our Earth. Scientists say this comet has journeyed through space for billions of years, coming from a distant part of the Milky Way far before our Solar System 

Can you guess how old 3I/ATLAS is? Well, it may be older than our Earth. Scientists say this comet has journeyed through space for billions of years, coming from a distant part of the Milky Way far before our Solar System&nbsp;

Is 3I/ATLAS older than Earth?

A unique comet from beyond our Solar System, 3I/ATLAS, is being tracked closely by powerful telescopes. It brings clues from distant stars and will soon pass near the Sun. Scientists hope to uncover secrets about its origin and nature.

A unique comet from beyond our Solar System, 3I/ATLAS, is being tracked closely by powerful telescopes. It brings clues from distant stars and will soon pass near the Sun. Scientists hope to uncover secrets about its origin and nature.

How deep-space telescopes are capturing 3I/ATLAS in real time

3I/ATLAS’s bright post-Sun activity shows a solid, icy core releasing gases like carbon dioxide and cyanide. Jets of dust and gas reveal complex chemistry and uneven ice distribution, helping scientists update comet models. 

3I/ATLAS’s bright post-Sun activity shows a solid, icy core releasing gases like carbon dioxide and cyanide. Jets of dust and gas reveal complex chemistry and uneven ice distribution, helping scientists update comet models.&nbsp;

What 3I/ATLAS’s post-Sun activity tells us about its icy core

3I/ATLAS offers crucial insights into natural interstellar movement, material survival, and cosmic conditions. Its study guides future spacecraft design, propulsion methods, and navigation techniques essential for long-distance travel beyond our Solar System.

3I/ATLAS offers crucial insights into natural interstellar movement, material survival, and cosmic conditions. Its study guides future spacecraft design, propulsion methods, and navigation techniques essential for long-distance travel beyond our Solar System.

What 3I/ATLAS could reveal about interstellar travel possibilities?

3I/ATLAS holds the record for the highest orbital eccentricity measured at 6.14, indicating a hyperbolic path from deep space. Its unique speed and trajectory reveal vital clues about interstellar objects and cosmic origins beyond our Solar System. Know more below.

3I/ATLAS holds the record for the highest orbital eccentricity measured at 6.14, indicating a hyperbolic path from deep space. Its unique speed and trajectory reveal vital clues about interstellar objects and cosmic origins beyond our Solar System. Know more below.

The comet that broke the record: 3I/ATLAS’s eccentricity is the highest ever measured

Elon Musk has jumped into the 3I/ATLAS debate, talking to podcast host Joe Rogan about what he thinks of aliens and the interstellar comet. The SpaceX CEO, who dreams of establishing a human colony on Mars, says the day he finds proof of alien existence, he will reveal all about it on Rogan's show, and "not commit suicide." “If I have any evidence of aliens, I promise, I will come on your show and reveal it to you. I am never committing suicide. It's on camera, guys,” Musk said. His remark seems to be about conspiracy theories that anyone who learns too much about aliens, vanishes mysteriously. He, meanwhile, disputed that it could be an alien spaceship just because it is releasing "industrial nickel." Musk said, "There are cases of nickel-rich asteroids and comets," and if it were unnatural, "it would be too heavy and big to be made entirely of nickel."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-anomalies-might-increase-as-it-emerges-from-sun-glare-1762139821088">3I/ATLAS oddities might increase as it emerges from Sun's glare - 'If 5 billion tons of gas...'</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Rogan and Musk talked about the strides SpaceX is making in space exploration, how the Moon could become a tourist destination, his multiple ventures, etc. Musk and Rogan also talked about how the Moon might one day become a tourist destination. "It is possible that people will pay to go to the Moon," Rogan said, to which Musk said, "Yes, possible." NASA has been working to send humans to the Moon again as part of the Artemis mission. Artemis III is planned to be the first human landing on the Moon since the Apollo missions. It is currently scheduled to launch in mid-2027. Before that, Artemis II will take a crewed flight to the Moon's orbit to test the feasibility of sending a human mission to the Moon.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/loeb-flags-ninth-anomaly-of-3i-atlas-calls-on-science-populariser-to-explain-all-of-them-1762007391455">3I/ATLAS has a ninth anomaly, as Loeb calls on 'science populariser' to explain all of them</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Elon Musk says that if he ever finds evidence of aliens, he will reveal it on Joe Rogan’s show. “I will never commit suicide, never. To be clear, I’m saying it in front of the camera, guys” <a href="https://t.co/Dlx77atasu">pic.twitter.com/Dlx77atasu</a>&mdash; GG (@LuillyDRR) <a href="https://twitter.com/LuillyDRR/status/1984417115621695723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>About 3I/ATLAS</h2>The interstellar comet was discovered on July 1. Since then, it has intrigued astronomers who are baffled by everything it has been doing. 3I/ATLAS is moving at an insane speed of 200,000 km/hr, faster than the previous two interstellar objects - Oumuamua and Borisov. While Oumuamua was termed a dark comet, since it was simply a piece of dry rock, Borisov was an active comet. 3I/ATLAS is believed to be huge, the size of Manhattan, and yet it is moving at such a high speed, something that has been flagged as an anomaly. It is older than our solar system, dated to be born around 7 to 14 billion years ago. It recently reached its nearest point to the Sun, where it brightened unexpectedly. It also turned blue and displayed non-gravitational acceleration. Scientists are now waiting to make more observations when it fully comes out of the Sun's glare by mid-November.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was on Joe Rogan's podcast recently, where he spoke about Moon, Mars and 3I/ATLAS. He says the presence of nickel doesn't mean for sure that it is a technological piece. He further said he would offer proof of aliens if he ever finds any, and never commit suicide.

Elon Musk has jumped into the 3I/ATLAS debate, talking to podcast host Joe Rogan about what he thinks of aliens and the interstellar comet. The SpaceX CEO, who dreams of establishing a human colony on Mars, says the day he finds proof of alien existence, he will reveal all about it on Rogan's show, and "not commit suicide." “If I have any evidence of aliens, I promise, I will come on your show and reveal it to you. I am never committing suicide. It's on camera, guys,” Musk said. His remark seems to be about conspiracy theories that anyone who learns too much about aliens, vanishes mysteriously. He, meanwhile, disputed that it could be an alien spaceship just because it is releasing "industrial nickel." Musk said, "There are cases of nickel-rich asteroids and comets," and if it were unnatural, "it would be too heavy and big to be made entirely of nickel." Also Read: 3I/ATLAS oddities might increase as it emerges from Sun's glare - 'If 5 billion tons of gas...' Rogan and Musk talked about the strides SpaceX is making in space exploration, how the Moon could become a tourist destination, his multiple ventures, etc. Musk and Rogan also talked about how the Moon might one day become a tourist destination. "It is possible that people will pay to go to the Moon," Rogan said, to which Musk said, "Yes, possible." NASA has been working to send humans to the Moon again as part of the Artemis mission. Artemis III is planned to be the first human landing on the Moon since the Apollo missions. It is currently scheduled to launch in mid-2027. Before that, Artemis II will take a crewed flight to the Moon's orbit to test the feasibility of sending a human mission to the Moon. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS has a ninth anomaly, as Loeb calls on 'science populariser' to explain all of them

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was on Joe Rogan's podcast recently, where he spoke about Moon, Mars and 3I/ATLAS. He says the presence of nickel doesn't mean for sure that it is a technological piece. He further said he would offer proof of aliens if he ever finds any, and never commit suicide.

Musk disputes 3I/ATLAS alien spaceship theory: 'Nickel-rich asteroids and comets exist'

The Lowell Discovery Telescope captured an image of 3I/ATLAS post-perihelion on October 31. The observatory photo is supposedly the first officially released image of the interstellar comet. Several astronomers had been watching it as it approached the Sun, at which time it underwent some changes. Solar observatories STEREO, SOHO and GOES-19 saw the comet and noticed three things. 3I/ATLAS had rapidly brightened near the Sun. While this is an expected phenomenon, since dust reflects light. But in the case of this alien comet, the brightness came much faster than anticipated. It also showed non-gravitational acceleration, something it did for the first time. The Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA) gathered data about this occurrence. 3I/ATLAS also became bluer than the sun, when ideally comets turn red at perihelion as the dust scatters the sunlight.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/loeb-flags-ninth-anomaly-of-3i-atlas-calls-on-science-populariser-to-explain-all-of-them-1762007391455">3I/ATLAS has a ninth anomaly, as Loeb calls on 'science populariser' to explain all of them</a> &nbsp;<h2>Why did 3I/ATLAS brighten near the Sun?</h2>Scientists tried to explain the reason for the sudden brightness exhibited by 3I/ATLAS. , Qicheng Zhang of Lowell Observatory and Karl Battams, an astrophysicist at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, DC, wrote in a paper 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 the reason for it could be the speed at which it approached the Sun. Besides, it also speaks volumes about the internal composition of 3I/ATLAS, which is likely different from that of the nuclei of Oort cloud comets.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/live-blog-3i-atlas-live-tracker-interstellar-comet-goes-blue-near-sun-and-this-shouldn-t-have-happened-1761884561144">3I/ATLAS Live Tracker: Did 3I/ATLAS do anything strange near the Sun? Yes, 3 things</a> &nbsp;<h2>Avi Loeb says 3I/ATLAS might soon have another anomaly</h2>"Oddities in nucleus properties like composition, shape, or structure — which might have been acquired from its host system or over its long interstellar journey — may likewise contribute [to the rapid brightening]," the researchers wrote. 3I/ATLAS passed its closest point to the Sun on October 29, 2025, eight days after solar conjunction. Meanwhile, Harvard scientist Avi Loeb argues that if 3I/ATLAS is a natural comet, then "the non-gravitational acceleration must have resulted from it losing at least 15% of its mass." He says that the surrounding gas must measure over 5 billion tons and should be observable during upcoming observations. However, if this is not the case, then non-gravitational acceleration will be the 10th anomaly of 3I/ATLAS, since it shouldn't happen in the absence of a massive coma.&nbsp;Observatories and astronomers around the world are working to catch a glimpse of 3I/ATLAS as it emerges from the sun's glare. The Lowell Observatory's image is one of the first post-perihelion. The PUNCH mission, a group of small satellites studying the Sun, also grabbed a look at the interstellar comet near the Sun.

3I/ATLAS update: The Lowell Observatory in Arizona has released a post-perihelion photo of 3I/ATLAS. A scientist says if it is a natural comet, then over 5 billion tons of gas should surround it. In case that is not the case in the upcoming observations, then we might have another anomaly.

The Lowell Discovery Telescope captured an image of 3I/ATLAS post-perihelion on October 31. The observatory photo is supposedly the first officially released image of the interstellar comet. Several astronomers had been watching it as it approached the Sun, at which time it underwent some changes. Solar observatories STEREO, SOHO and GOES-19 saw the comet and noticed three things. 3I/ATLAS had rapidly brightened near the Sun. While this is an expected phenomenon, since dust reflects light. But in the case of this alien comet, the brightness came much faster than anticipated. It also showed non-gravitational acceleration, something it did for the first time. The Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA) gathered data about this occurrence. 3I/ATLAS also became bluer than the sun, when ideally comets turn red at perihelion as the dust scatters the sunlight. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS has a ninth anomaly, as Loeb calls on 'science populariser' to explain all of them Why did 3I/ATLAS brighten near the Sun? Scientists tried to explain the reason for the sudden brightness exhibited by 3I/ATLAS. , Qicheng Zhang of Lowell Observatory and Karl Battams, an astrophysicist at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, DC, wrote in a paper 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 the reason for it could be the speed at which it approached the Sun. Besides, it also speaks volumes about the internal composition of 3I/ATLAS, which is likely different from that of the nuclei of Oort cloud comets. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS Live Tracker: Did 3I/ATLAS do anything strange near the Sun? Yes, 3 things Avi Loeb says 3I/ATLAS might soon have another anomaly "Oddities in nucleus properties like composition, shape, or structure — which might have been acquired from its host system or over its long interstellar journey — may likewise contribute [to the rapid brightening]," the researchers wrote. 3I/ATLAS passed its closest point to the Sun on October 29, 2025, eight days after solar conjunction. Meanwhile, Harvard scientist Avi Loeb argues that if 3I/ATLAS is a natural comet, then "the non-gravitational acceleration must have resulted from it losing at least 15% of its mass." He says that the surrounding gas must measure over 5 billion tons and should be observable during upcoming observations. However, if this is not the case, then non-gravitational acceleration will be the 10th anomaly of 3I/ATLAS, since it shouldn't happen in the absence of a massive coma. Observatories and astronomers around the world are working to catch a glimpse of 3I/ATLAS as it emerges from the sun's glare. The Lowell Observatory's image is one of the first post-perihelion. The PUNCH mission, a group of small satellites studying the Sun, also grabbed a look at the interstellar comet near the Sun.

3I/ATLAS update: The Lowell Observatory in Arizona has released a post-perihelion photo of 3I/ATLAS. A scientist says if it is a natural comet, then over 5 billion tons of gas should surround it. In case that is not the case in the upcoming observations, then we might have another anomaly.

3I/ATLAS oddities might increase as it emerges from Sun's glare - 'If 5 billion tons of gas...'

Harvard scientist Avi Loeb has flagged a ninth anomaly in 3I/ATLAS. The interstellar comet has become the most mysterious object in our solar system ever since it was discovered on July 1. Loeb noted eight anomalies, features that raised doubts over the object being a comet. The ninth anomaly, he says, was revealed when 3I/ATLAS was at perihelion. According to data, the comet changed colour to a bright blue when it was at its closest point to the Sun. Typically, comets take on a red hue in this position. This happens because of the dust around comets that scatters the sunlight. He wrote that the interstellar object revealed a "rapid brightening and a colour bluer than the Sun." Its brightness also rose by several notches. The brightening and the change in colour were noted in a new paper. The authors wrote, “The reason for 3I/ATLAS’s rapid brightening, which far exceeds the brightening rate of most Oort cloud comets at similar distances from the Sun, remains unclear.”&nbsp;The observations were made by STEREO (“Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory”), SOHO (“SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory”) and GOES-19, launched in 2024, a weather satellite. Talking about the blue colour, Loeb wrote, "For a natural comet, this blue colour is very surprising. Dust is expected to redden the scattered sunlight, and the surface of 3I/ATLAS is expected to be ~20 times colder than the 5,800 degrees Kelvin at the photosphere of the Sun, resulting in it having a redder color than the Sun." He added, that this appearance at perihelion "is a ninth anomaly in the list of unexpected properties of 3I/ATLAS."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3iatlas-non-gravitational-acceleration-near-sun-perihelion-alien-internal-engine-1761882801794">3I/ATLAS did the unthinkable near Sun, with a mysterious move - 'A sign of tech...'</a> &nbsp;<h2>Loeb challenges English physicist to explain the anomalies of 3I/ATLAS</h2>Loeb has also challenged English physicist Brian Cox to explain the anomalies of 3I/ATLAS, who "argued forcefully that 3I/ATLAS is definitely a natural comet." Loeb said, "He acts as a science popularizer rather than a researcher who is engaged with the related science concerning 3I/ATLAS. In comparison, I wrote 11 scientific papers in recent months about 3I/ATLAS." He said, instead of making "sweeping statements", he should try to decode the anomalies of the interstellar visitor. &nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>The anomalies of 3I/ATLAS</h2>Loeb had earlier said that the interstellar object displayed eight anomalies, which hinted at it being an unnatural object. The first anomaly is its trajectory, which is aligned to within 5 degrees with the ecliptic plane of the planets around the Sun. He says there is only a 0.2% likelihood of this happening. The second is its anti-tail, which can be seen in the July and August 2025 observations. He says it displayed a sunward jet. Next is its size, as he says the nucleus of 3I/ATLAS is about a "million times more massive than 1I/`Oumuamua and a thousand times more massive than 2I/Borisov". However, it is moving at a mind-boggling speed of 200,000 km/hr, unlike the other two. There is a less than 0.1% chance of this happening.&nbsp;&nbsp;He also says that its path and arrival time bring it within tens of millions of kilometres from Mars, Venus and Jupiter. Also, it wouldn't be visible from Earth at perihelion, which has a mere likelihood of 0.005%. Next is the gas plume around 3I/ATLAS, which he says contains much more nickel than iron, something mostly found in industrially produced nickel alloys. The gas plume around the interstellar object contains only 4% water by mass. The other issue is the extreme negative polarisation, "unprecedented for all known comets, including 2I/Borisov." Loeb also thinks that 3I/ATLAS could have sent the Wow! Signal since it is coming from the same direction.&nbsp;

3I/ATLAS has a ninth anomaly. Harvard scientist Avi Loeb says the interstellar object has displayed another strange occurrence. He has challenged English physicist Brian Cox to explain the anomalies, since he feels it is “definitely a comet.” 

Harvard scientist Avi Loeb has flagged a ninth anomaly in 3I/ATLAS. The interstellar comet has become the most mysterious object in our solar system ever since it was discovered on July 1. Loeb noted eight anomalies, features that raised doubts over the object being a comet. The ninth anomaly, he says, was revealed when 3I/ATLAS was at perihelion. According to data, the comet changed colour to a bright blue when it was at its closest point to the Sun. Typically, comets take on a red hue in this position. This happens because of the dust around comets that scatters the sunlight. He wrote that the interstellar object revealed a "rapid brightening and a colour bluer than the Sun." Its brightness also rose by several notches. The brightening and the change in colour were noted in a new paper. The authors wrote, “The reason for 3I/ATLAS’s rapid brightening, which far exceeds the brightening rate of most Oort cloud comets at similar distances from the Sun, remains unclear.” The observations were made by STEREO (“Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory”), SOHO (“SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory”) and GOES-19, launched in 2024, a weather satellite. Talking about the blue colour, Loeb wrote, "For a natural comet, this blue colour is very surprising. Dust is expected to redden the scattered sunlight, and the surface of 3I/ATLAS is expected to be ~20 times colder than the 5,800 degrees Kelvin at the photosphere of the Sun, resulting in it having a redder color than the Sun." He added, that this appearance at perihelion "is a ninth anomaly in the list of unexpected properties of 3I/ATLAS." Also Read: 3I/ATLAS did the unthinkable near Sun, with a mysterious move - 'A sign of tech...' Loeb challenges English physicist to explain the anomalies of 3I/ATLAS Loeb has also challenged English physicist Brian Cox to explain the anomalies of 3I/ATLAS, who "argued forcefully that 3I/ATLAS is definitely a natural comet." Loeb said, "He acts as a science popularizer rather than a researcher who is engaged with the related science concerning 3I/ATLAS. In comparison, I wrote 11 scientific papers in recent months about 3I/ATLAS." He said, instead of making "sweeping statements", he should try to decode the anomalies of the interstellar visitor. The anomalies of 3I/ATLAS Loeb had earlier said that the interstellar object displayed eight anomalies, which hinted at it being an unnatural object. The first anomaly is its trajectory, which is aligned to within 5 degrees with the ecliptic plane of the planets around the Sun. He says there is only a 0.2% likelihood of this happening. The second is its anti-tail, which can be seen in the July and August 2025 observations. He says it displayed a sunward jet. Next is its size, as he says the nucleus of 3I/ATLAS is about a "million times more massive than 1I/`Oumuamua and a thousand times more massive than 2I/Borisov". However, it is moving at a mind-boggling speed of 200,000 km/hr, unlike the other two. There is a less than 0.1% chance of this happening. He also says that its path and arrival time bring it within tens of millions of kilometres from Mars, Venus and Jupiter. Also, it wouldn't be visible from Earth at perihelion, which has a mere likelihood of 0.005%. Next is the gas plume around 3I/ATLAS, which he says contains much more nickel than iron, something mostly found in industrially produced nickel alloys. The gas plume around the interstellar object contains only 4% water by mass. The other issue is the extreme negative polarisation, "unprecedented for all known comets, including 2I/Borisov." Loeb also thinks that 3I/ATLAS could have sent the Wow! Signal since it is coming from the same direction.

3I/ATLAS has a ninth anomaly. Harvard scientist Avi Loeb says the interstellar object has displayed another strange occurrence. He has challenged English physicist Brian Cox to explain the anomalies, since he feels it is “definitely a comet.”&nbsp;

3I/ATLAS has a ninth anomaly, as Loeb calls on 'science populariser' to explain all of them

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