3I/Atlas isn’t deep space aliens and didn’t ‘change color’
**3I/ATLAS: An Interstellar Comet in the Spotlight**
Since its discovery in early July, the comet 3I/ATLAS has captured the attention of astronomers and the public alike, quickly establishing itself as a celestial celebrity. This remarkable object is only the third known comet to have journeyed into our solar system from the depths of space, and it has set records as the fastest comet ever recorded, zipping through space at an astonishing speed of around 130,000 miles per hour. The comet’s closest approach to the sun occurred on October 30, 2023, providing an exceptional opportunity for three spacecraft to observe and document this ancient, icy rock in unprecedented detail.
Initial observations revealed that 3I/ATLAS exhibited a rapid brightening of its gas coma—a cloud of sublimated debris that forms as the comet nears the sun—compared to other comets at similar distances. While early assessments suggested that the comet appeared red, further analysis has indicated that it is actually “distinctly bluer than the sun.” This shift in appearance has led to considerable speculation and misinformation online, with various outlets suggesting that the comet’s color change hinted at a more mysterious extraterrestrial origin. However, astronomer Qicheng Zhang from Arizona’s Lowell Observatory has urged caution, dismissing these theories as unfounded. He emphasized that the brightening effect observed is a natural phenomenon associated with the comet’s proximity to the sun and has been occurring since early September.
Zhang expressed frustration over the spread of misinformation, particularly from those with scientific backgrounds, such as Harvard’s Avi Loeb, who has hinted at the possibility of “alien technology” influencing the comet’s appearance. Despite the sensational claims, Zhang reassured the public that the changes in 3I/ATLAS’s appearance are typical behaviors of comets. As the comet approaches Earth, with its closest pass set for December 19, 2023—when it will be just 167 million miles away—NASA is expected to release more images, potentially including those captured by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Zhang remains optimistic that this comet will inspire greater interest in understanding the peculiarities of these cosmic wanderers, steering the focus away from sensationalist theories and towards genuine scientific inquiry.
3I/ATLAS
has quickly earned celestial celebrity status since
its discovery
in early July. It’s only the third known object to visit our solar system from deep space, and at around 130,000 mph, it’s also the fastest comet ever clocked. 3I/ATLAS’s closest pass to the sun so far occurred on October 30, offering three spacecraft an unprecedented chance to document the ancient, icy cosmic rock.
Early examinations noted the comet’s gas coma–the cloud of sublimated debris formed as it passes near a star–experienced a “
rapid brightening
” compared to previously observed comets at similar distances from the sun. While earlier observations indicated 3I/ATLAS appeared red in color, additional analysis has led astronomers to
note in a preprint study
it’s actually “distinctly bluer than the sun.”
Multiple outlets
asserted our interstellar visitor had suddenly, and perhaps inexplicably,
changed in appearance
. Meanwhile, the internet has done what it does best: generate a
deluge of misinformation
about the comet’s “true” extraterrestrial identity. But according to study coauthor Qicheng Zhang at Arizona’s Lowell Observatory, the conspiracies aren’t worth your time.
“We don’t have any evidence for the gas coma changing colors,” Zhang told
Space.com
on November 7. “Our result just showed that the gas coma is likely still around and contributing substantially to the overall brightness.”
Speaking with
Popular Science
, Zhang adds he’s more frustrated with the people pushing unsubstantiated ideas than the conspiratorial thinking itself. He specifically cites Avi Loeb, a Harvard University astronomer and frequent proponent of various unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) theories. Loeb has repeatedly suggested that “
alien tech
” may explain the comet’s coloration.
“I think my main source of annoyance though is just that so much of it has been propagated by someone with a background in science who should know better,” Zhang tells
Popular Science
. “A large fraction of the misinformation I’ve seen floating around can be directly traced back to him misinterpreting [or] not fully reading the papers or data he comments on.”
Technically speaking, 3I/ATLAS only “changed color” when the coma brightened as it sped closer to the sun. That doesn’t mean the reported hue shift was particularly striking. Zhang made clear that this brightening also actually started occurring by early September. There are even
multiple photos
from hobbyist astronomers around that time that already show 3I/ATLAS possessing a
bluish-green gas coma
.
So, no, the United States didn’t
orchestrate a government shutdown
to cover up E.T tourists–but that doesn’t mean the comet isn’t worth your admiration. NASA has yet to release additional photos due to limited operations during the US government shutdown, but there is still a chance the agency will reveal images taken by its
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
on October 3. Even more glimpses of the comet are assured to ramp up as 3I/ATLAS reaches its closest approach to Earth on December 19, when it will soar past us from only around 167 million miles away.
“On a more optimistic note, I do hope more people will begin see how the anomalies of this comet are just weird things comets do, and perhaps driving more interest to understand them better,” says Zhang.
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3I/Atlas isn’t deep space aliens and didn’t ‘change color’
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