NASA confirms 3I/ATLAS is Natural Comet After Weeks of Speculation, Online Theories

For the past few weeks, 3I/ATLAS, a fast-moving interstellar object, has captured worldwide attention. While some online users speculated it might be artificial, NASA has now provided clarity after studying the object with more than 20 telescopes and spacecraft.

NASA confirmed that 3I/ATLAS is a natural comet, not alien technology or man-made. It is a rare visitor from another star system and the third confirmed interstellar object to pass through our solar system.

Amit Kshatriya from NASA stated, “This object is a comet … it looks and behaves like a comet.” Nicky Fox, another NASA scientist, added that there are “no signs of technology, no signals, and nothing that would suggest it was made by intelligent life.” She also reassured the public that the comet is not dangerous. Even at its closest approach, it will remain about 1.8 AU from Earth — nearly twice the distance between Earth and the Sun.

Despite being natural, 3I/ATLAS presents a rare scientific opportunity. Scientists believe it formed around a distant star, making it a unique object to study. Observations from the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope revealed unusual gases, including high levels of carbon dioxide and nickel vapor, which are uncommon in comets from our solar system.

NASA scientist Tom Statler commented, “Knowing this comet may contain material from before our Sun was even born gives me goosebumps.”

With NASA’s confirmation, online speculation about the object being artificial can now be put to rest. 3I/ATLAS remains a fascinating natural comet, offering insights into the composition of other star systems.