A mysterious video featuring the 3I/ATLAS interstellar object is making waves all over the internet, with some users claiming that it could be an alien spacecraft. The clip, captioned “A mysterious visitor from space: 3I ATLAS – under alien control?” has again sparked online speculation about extraterrestrial life. However, the astronomers have dismissed these claims, confirming that the object’s strange signals and behavior are entirely natural.
For the unversed, the comet, officially named 3I/ATLAS, is only the third known interstellar visitor to enter our solar system, following ‘Oumuamua and Borisov. It was first spotted in July and is moving nearly 130,000 miles per hour, and is believed to have formed about seven billion years ago in another star system.
Recent interest surged after radio emissions were detected from the comet by South Africa’s MeerKAT radio telescope around October 29, when it had its closest approach to the Sun. Some interpreted these signals as possible alien communications. But scientists explained the emissions were caused by hydroxyl radicals created when sunlight breaks down water molecules, a common process known as outgassing that occurs in most comets.
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NASA had already observed similar water activity earlier in October, further confirming the comet’s natural behavior. Experts also addressed the comet’s sudden brightening and color changes seen during its solar pass, noting that the variations were due to vaporizing ice and gas jets, not any artificial influence.
Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb has proposed that the blue tint could be from an artificial source, although other researchers believe it is most likely created by ionised carbon monoxide, a common property in comet chemistry.
Rumours that 3I/ATLAS broke up or released a probe after going behind the Sun have also been debunked. Lowell Observatory observations suggest that the comet is still intact and active. NASA experts emphasised that any unexpected acceleration was due to petrol fumes rather than propulsion.
The 3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to Earth on December 18, passing from 269 million km away, a safe distance. Stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere will be able to spot it with small telescopes for several weeks, while NASA and the European Space Agency continue to monitor its journey as it heads toward Jupiter in early 2026.