Gigantic interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS shows unusual acceleration, turns blue near Sun

Gigantic Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Exhibits Unusual Acceleration and Color Change Near the Sun

A large comet named 3I/ATLAS, discovered this summer, has displayed a unique speeding up not explained by gravity and appeared to turn blue as it neared the Sun, according to scientists.

Unusual Acceleration and Mass Loss

Astrophysicist Avi Loeb from Harvard University highlighted data from NASA indicating this uncommon acceleration, probably caused by gas escaping from the comet. He added that 3I/ATLAS might lose nearly half of its mass, producing a substantial debris trail over the next few months.

Current Observation Status

The comet is currently behind the Sun, making it unobservable from Earth with ground-based telescopes. It is expected to re-emerge in early December, when Earth-based direct observations will resume.

Monitoring Efforts and Theories

Meanwhile, NASA and international agencies like the European Space Agency (ESA) continue monitoring 3I/ATLAS using instruments aboard spacecraft.

Avi Loeb said, "If 3I/ATLAS shows no mass loss when it reappears, the non-gravitational acceleration might be the technological signature of an internal engine."
NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy responded on social media: "@NASA's observations show that this is the third interstellar comet to pass through our solar system. No threat to life here on Earth."

Author's Summary

The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is showing rare acceleration and color change near the Sun, with ongoing monitoring expected to reveal whether these phenomena stem from natural or artificial causes.

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Anadolu Ajansı Anadolu Ajansı — 2025-11-04

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