Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS Sparks New Debate: Comet or Something Artificial?

New high-resolution telescope images of the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS have revived a heated scientific debate over whether the mysterious space visitor is an unusually active comet — or something far more unconventional.

Fresh observations released on November 11 by the Nordic Optical Telescope in Spain’s Canary Islands show that 3I/ATLAS survived its close pass behind the Sun and reappeared intact. The findings have reignited Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb’s controversial suggestion that the object may be artificial, despite the scientific community largely supporting a natural comet explanation.

New Images Raise New Questions

The latest photos reveal ATLAS as a single, highly active body showing no signs of breaking apart after its perihelion, the point at which it travels closest to the Sun. Loeb insists the object’s survival contradicts predictions based on normal comet behavior.

According to Loeb, the jets erupting from ATLAS appear “too powerful” for a nucleus of its estimated size. He argues that solar heating alone cannot generate such strong outflows without a far larger surface area. Since the object has not fragmented into pieces that could account for that area, he says alternative explanations — including the possibility of engineered propulsion or directional thrusters — should be considered.

Loeb also pointed to the object’s unusual anti-tail, which appears to be oriented toward the Sun rather than away from it, calling it another anomaly that warrants further investigation.

Scientists Push Back

Most astronomers reject the idea of an artificial origin.

Michigan State University astrophysicist Darryl Seligman said the object’s survival is consistent with earlier estimates. Based on Hubble Space Telescope observations, ATLAS may have a nucleus several kilometers wide — large enough to remain stable despite strong jetting.

Seligman also noted that its spin-up time is roughly 100 years, eliminating concerns that it would tear itself apart during this solar encounter.

Further evidence supporting a natural explanation emerged in late October when South Africa’s MeerKAT radio telescope detected hydroxyl absorption lines from ATLAS, a classic signature of sunlight breaking apart water molecules on a comet.

A Continuing Cosmic Mystery

For now, 3I/ATLAS remains one of the most intriguing interstellar objects ever observed. While Loeb continues to push for an open-minded approach to its origin, most experts believe the interstellar traveler is behaving like a highly active comet, not a spacecraft.

The debate is far from over — and scientists around the world are watching closely.