3I/Atlas isn’t deep space aliens and didn’t ‘change color’
**3I/ATLAS: The Fastest Comet and Its Fascinating Journey Through Our Solar System**
Since its discovery in early July, the comet 3I/ATLAS has garnered significant attention, establishing itself as a remarkable celestial object. This comet is only the third known entity to venture into our solar system from the depths of space, and it holds the record for being the fastest comet ever recorded, traveling at an astonishing speed of approximately 130,000 mph. Its closest approach to the sun occurred on October 30, providing an exceptional opportunity for three spacecraft to observe and document this ancient, icy wanderer. Early examinations revealed that the comet’s gas coma—a cloud of sublimated debris formed as it nears the sun—exhibited a “rapid brightening” compared to other comets observed at similar distances, capturing the interest of astronomers worldwide.
However, the comet’s intriguing characteristics have also sparked a wave of misinformation and speculation, particularly regarding its color. Initial observations suggested that 3I/ATLAS appeared red, but further analysis indicated that it is “distinctly bluer than the sun.” This shift in perceived color led to a flurry of online conspiracy theories, with some suggesting that the comet might be of extraterrestrial origin. Qicheng Zhang, a coauthor of a preprint study on the comet, has expressed frustration over the spread of these unfounded claims, particularly those propagated by figures like Avi Loeb, a Harvard astronomer known for his controversial theories about unidentified aerial phenomena. Zhang emphasized that the changes in the comet’s appearance are scientifically explainable, noting that the brightening of the gas coma began as early as September and was not as dramatic as some reports suggested.
As 3I/ATLAS continues its journey, it is set to make its closest approach to Earth on December 19, passing by at a distance of around 167 million miles. While NASA has faced operational limitations due to the U.S. government shutdown, there is hope for further observations and images of the comet, particularly from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Zhang remains optimistic that the fascination surrounding 3I/ATLAS will encourage a deeper understanding of comets and their behaviors, steering the conversation away from sensationalism and back to the science that underpins these incredible celestial phenomena. As we await more insights into this cosmic traveler, 3I/ATLAS stands as a testament to the wonders of our universe—alien or not.
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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