Radio signals from 3I/ATLAS detected, NASA uncovers their origin

NASA has confirmed radio echoes coming from a comet called 3I/ATLAS, adding another big achievement to its space research record. NASA is known for solving mysteries in space, and this time, it helped explain strange radio sounds first picked up by South Africa’s MeerKAT radio telescope.

Astronomers in South Africa heard unusual radio signals, but they did not know exactly where they came from. NASA has now shared new details about their true origin.

How the Radio Echoes Were First Detected

The discovery did not happen by chance. It was the result of teamwork by astronomers around the world.

• On July 1, scientists at the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) spotted a fast-moving object in space.

• After studying it, astronomers confirmed it was a comet and named it 3I/ATLAS.

• In October 2025, South African astronomers using the MeerKAT telescope detected radio signals from this comet when it came 210 million km from the Sun, the closest it has ever been.

This surprised scientists, especially because they had tried to detect these signals a month earlier but failed. After the discovery, many people wanted to know: Where exactly are these echoes coming from?

What NASA Says About the Origin of the Echoes

NASA studied the comet closely and came to an important conclusion:
The radio echoes most likely come from outside our solar system.

This means 3I/ATLAS is an interstellar object, and it will only pass near our solar system once.

NASA believes the comet started its journey from a faraway star system in the thick disk of the Milky Way Galaxy, which is far above the region where the Sun is located.

Should Earth Be Worried?

People often wonder if these discoveries affect life on Earth. Luckily, NASA confirms:

• 3I/ATLAS will not come close to Earth, so there is no danger.

• The comet releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, but because it will not enter our solar system, Earth is safe.

Why This Discovery Matters

The radio echoes from 3I/ATLAS are a huge moment in astronomy. Only two other interstellar objects have ever been discovered before.

This discovery helps scientists:

• Study the chemical makeup of comets without using visible light

• Learn how interstellar objects behave near our solar system

• Improve future space research methods

NASA will continue observing the comet to learn more.

One inspiring part of the story is that a country with fewer resources, like South Africa, made the first detection, showing that astronomy is open to everyone, no matter where they come from.

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