The rogue comet 3I/ATLAS, which entered our Solar System on July 1, has drawn significant attention from scientists and the public alike. Recent observations indicate that the comet is exhibiting changes in both its speed and brightness. Theoretical physicist Avi Loeb from Harvard University has been at the forefront of this analysis, though some of his claims have sparked debate within the scientific community.
NASA experts have dismissed suggestions that 3I/ATLAS could be an alien spacecraft, asserting it is a comet originating from another star system. Nevertheless, Professor Loeb has provided updates on the comet’s behavior through his blog, detailing its non-gravitational acceleration. He noted that on October 30, 2025, the radial acceleration component, normalized to a heliocentric distance of one astronomical unit, was recorded at 1.6 x 10-6 au per day squared. By November 24, this value decreased by a factor of four to 4 x 10-7 au per day squared.
Changes in Brightness and Trajectory
In simpler terms, Professor Loeb is indicating that 3I/ATLAS is indeed slowing down. He also observed that the comet brightened unexpectedly as it approached perihelion, which is the point in its orbit closest to the Sun. He stated, “There is strong evidence that 3I/ATLAS became brighter near perihelion than the smooth 1/r2 model would predict.” This model estimates how bright an object should appear as it nears the Sun, and the comet’s brightness exceeded those expectations.
Loeb has also speculated about the comet’s trajectory, suggesting it may be on a path to deploy satellites to study Jupiter for an advanced extraterrestrial civilization. He estimates that 3I/ATLAS will come within 53.445 million kilometers (over 33.209 million miles) of Jupiter on March 16, 2025. At this distance, he proposes that the comet could potentially “seed” probes into the orbit of the gas giant.
Continued Observations and Implications
The scientific community remains divided on the implications of these findings. While Professor Loeb’s ideas have generated interest, they also invite skepticism, particularly regarding claims of extraterrestrial technology. NASA continues to monitor 3I/ATLAS and aims to gather more precise data on its composition and behavior as it travels through our Solar System.
As 3I/ATLAS progresses along its trajectory, the ongoing observations may provide further insights into the nature of comets from other star systems and their potential interactions with planets in our Solar System. The excitement surrounding this comet underscores the public’s fascination with the cosmos and the enduring quest for knowledge about the universe.
