On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, NASA released striking new images of comet 3I/ATLAS, the third interstellar object ever observed in our solar system. Captured by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Chile, these photos offer a window into a cosmic traveler likely older than the sun itself.
First detected in July, 3I/ATLAS caught astronomers’ attention with its hyperbolic trajectory—signaling an origin far beyond familiar orbits. Its bright coma and elongated tail confirm its status as a comet, joining 1I/’Oumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019) as rare visitors from the depths of space.
Despite viral rumors of alien spacecraft, mission teams emphasize that all signs point to a natural comet. “The physical characteristics match what we expect from a primordial comet nucleus,” explains a lead scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Researchers are already sifting through the data to study its composition and structure, hoping to uncover clues about the building blocks of planets and the conditions of distant star systems. As global observatories tune in, each new discovery deepens our understanding of the universe.
With next-generation telescopes set to come online, astronomers are poised to spot more interstellar visitors—each one a messenger carrying secrets from beyond the stars.
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NASA releases images of comet 3I/ATLAS, rejects 'alien rumors'
cgtn.com
