NASA has released new images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, definitively stating that the object is a natural comet and not an alien spacecraft, as some speculated. The agency addressed persistent rumors during a livestream event on November 19th, emphasizing that all evidence supports its classification as a comet originating from outside our solar system.
The Comet and the Conspiracy Theories
The interstellar visitor, discovered in June, quickly gained notoriety not just for its origins but also for fueling conspiracy theories about its true nature. NASA’s silence during the recent U.S. government shutdown (October 1 to November 12) – coinciding with the comet’s closest approach to the sun – only intensified speculation that the agency was concealing information. Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya directly addressed this, stating, “This object is a comet… It looks and behaves like a comet… and all evidence points to it being a comet. “
Why This Matters: A Rare Glimpse into the Distant Past
The interest in 3I/ATLAS isn’t just about debunking myths; it’s about the scientific significance of studying only the third interstellar comet ever recorded. The comet may be among the oldest in existence — potentially billions of years older than our sun, making it a unique window into the early universe. This is critical because such objects can provide clues about the formation of other solar systems and the conditions that existed before our own.
Images From Across the Solar System
The new images come from a range of instruments, including NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (HiRISE), which captured close-up shots as the comet passed Mars in early October. The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) orbiter also gathered ultraviolet data, aiding in understanding the comet’s composition. Additional observations were made by sun-monitoring probes like STEREO and spacecraft Psyche and Lucy, providing details on the comet’s tail. While these images are newly processed, preliminary studies suggest a natural, cometary structure.
The Comet’s Age and Origin
Researchers estimate 3I/ATLAS has been traveling through interstellar space for billions of years, moving at three times the average speed of stars around the Milky Way’s center. This suggests it originated from a solar system far older than ours, possibly predating even the formation of Earth and the sun. Tom Statler, NASA’s lead scientist for small bodies, explained, “The likelihood is it came from a solar system older than our own solar system… a window into the deep past.”
The comet’s extreme age makes it a potentially unprecedented opportunity to study conditions in the early universe.
The new findings reinforce the comet’s natural origins, though the exact star system remains unknown. 3I/ATLAS offers a rare chance to learn about other solar systems and the conditions that existed before our own, making it an object of intense scientific interest.
