Astronomers Discover Radio Signals Emitted by Comet 3I/ATLAS

Astronomers have made a significant discovery with the comet 3I/ATLAS, which is emitting radio signals as it approaches the Sun. First observed on July 1, 2025, by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), this comet is unique because it originated from outside our solar system, making it an intriguing subject for scientific study.

Unlike well-known comets such as Halley’s Comet, which formed within our solar system, 3I/ATLAS traveled through interstellar space before entering our vicinity. The MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa detected the comet emitting signals in late October, coinciding with its closest approach to the Sun. Initial reports suggested that these signals could hint at alien technology, but experts clarified that the signals were not audio transmissions. Instead, the radio waves detected were affected by hydroxyl radicals (OH molecules), common in comets and resulting from solar radiation interacting with water.

Understanding the Origin of 3I/ATLAS

The discovery of 3I/ATLAS marks only the third time an interstellar object has been observed passing through our solar system. The “3I” designation stands for “third interstellar,” following the observations of 1I/’Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019. The trajectory of 3I/ATLAS differs from both of its predecessors, which approached from the direction of the Milky Way’s center. This comet, however, comes from a perpendicular angle, suggesting it may have originated from an area of the galaxy not yet fully explored by astronomers.

NASA and the European Space Agency are currently collecting images and data on 3I/ATLAS, with further analysis anticipated by early 2026. Despite these efforts, pinpointing the exact origin of the comet remains unlikely due to the vastness of interstellar space.

Speculation Surrounding Alien Technology

The arrival of 3I/ATLAS has sparked considerable interest among enthusiasts of extraterrestrial life. Notably, Professor Avi Loeb from the Harvard Center for Astrophysics has suggested that the comet might represent alien technology. His claims have ignited debate within the scientific community, as he argues that 3I/ATLAS displays unusual characteristics compared to previous interstellar comets. He notes its larger mass and faster velocity, along with the detection of nickel levels in its gas plume that resemble industrial alloys.

Despite these assertions, the recent detection of radio signals from 3I/ATLAS challenges Loeb’s hypothesis. Experts emphasize that comets often exhibit a range of features, making it difficult to determine what qualifies as normal. Loeb himself acknowledges the limitations of the current sample size of interstellar objects, questioning how definitive conclusions can be drawn from only two previous examples.

As the scientific community continues to explore the mysteries surrounding 3I/ATLAS, many questions remain unanswered. The ongoing research into this interstellar visitor will likely yield further insights into the nature of comets and the broader cosmos.