Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is puzzling scientists
Meet 3I/ATLAS, the latest interstellar visitor spotted by Chile's ATLAS telescope in July 2025.
Unlike most comets that break apart when they get close to the Sun, this one stayed intact—leaving scientists genuinely surprised and rethinking what they know about space rocks.
Strange features spark wild theories
3I/ATLAS isn't just tough—it's weird, too. It has an "anti-tail" pointing toward the Sun and giant jets shooting out in opposite directions, which telescopes have clearly picked up.
A mysterious radio signal from it got people talking, with Harvard's Avi Loeb even suggesting its strange behavior could be due to alien technology.
Most scientists disagree, though—they think the signal comes from natural chemicals released as sunlight hits the object.
Either way, 3I/ATLAS is keeping astronomers on their toes as it speeds through our solar system at over 200,000km/h.