An interstellar object, designated 3I/ATLAS, has ignited considerable discussion among astronomers due to its unusual movements, which seem to exhibit a “reverse thrust” as it traverses behind the Sun. This phenomenon adds to a list of anomalies surrounding the object, leading to differing opinions regarding its true nature. 3I/ATLAS is recognized as the third confirmed interstellar visitor to our solar system, following the detection of “Oumuamua in 2017 and Borisov in 2019.
Discovered on July 1, 3I/ATLAS has displayed several odd characteristics, including a changing trajectory, unexpected brightness, and a unique composition of gases.
The Artificial Object Hypothesis
Astrophysicist Avi Loeb from Harvard has been vocal in proposing that 3I/ATLAS may not be a natural comet. He suggests that if the object reemerges from behind the Sun in a position that gravity alone cannot account for, it could imply some form of propulsion or controlled movement, potentially indicating an artificial origin. “If 3I/ATLAS appears in an unexpected location, it would suggest an engineered object,” Loeb remarked in a statement to the Daily Mail. He noted that some scientists hesitate to explore this avenue due to concerns about their reputations.
Observations and Findings
Using the Two-Meter Twin Telescope in the Canary Islands, astronomers detected a faint jet extending approximately 3.7 miles toward the Sun. Further studies conducted in August discovered nickel emissions, which are typically accompanied by iron, but this was not the case here, a phenomenon not previously observed in standard comets. Researchers in Chile estimated that 3I/ATLAS releases around five grams of nickel and twenty grams of cyanide each second, with both emissions intensifying as it approaches the Sun. Additionally, a NASA analysis indicated that the object is expelling an astonishing 940 trillion carbon dioxide molecules every second, hinting at its formation in a distinctly different solar system.
Despite its notable brightness, the size of the comet has been reassessed, with NASA reducing its estimated diameter from twelve miles to approximately 1.7 miles. This adjustment suggests that most of the visible light comes from a substantial coma, a cloud of dust and gas surrounding the object.
Images and Shape Controversy
Images captured by NASA”s Perseverance rover on Mars created a stir, as they appeared to show a cylindrical shape. However, Loeb posits that this perception may have been distorted due to the rover”s camera capturing multiple exposures over time. He estimates that the true shape of the object is “smaller and rounder,” potentially measuring about 28 miles wide overall. Furthermore, amateur astronomers have reported observing a greenish glow around 3I/ATLAS, a feature aligned with significant gas emissions. Various research teams have concluded that the object”s unusual color, dust patterns, and the so-called “anti-tail,” which seems to point toward the Sun, can all be clarified through the angles of observation and sunlight reflection.
Monitoring and Future Prospects
Although there is no threat of collision, NASA has classified 3I/ATLAS as an object of interest for planetary defense, coordinating 227 observatories worldwide to monitor its trajectory. The object is anticipated to make its closest approach to Earth on December 19, and scientists are eager to gather additional data during its proximity to NASA”s Juno spacecraft on March 16, 2026. Loeb emphasizes that these interstellar visitors, including 3I/ATLAS, “Oumuamua, and Borisov, highlight how much remains unknown about entities beyond our solar system.
