Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS may emit its own light

Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb suggests the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS may emit its own light, challenging the standard comet explanation

3I/ATLAS prompts debate on light emission

Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is approaching the inner solar system. Observations by the Hubble Space Telescope show a glow ahead of its motion toward the Sun, which scientists interpret as a possible coma. The object lacks a visible tail, so many researchers still classify it as a comet, yet Avi Loeb has kept an open mind about the idea that it may carry signs of intelligent origin. The debate centers on how to read the light and what data will prove the case.

Loeb and Harvard astrophysicist Eric Keto propose two possibilities. One is a rare fragment from the core of a nearby supernova that is rich in radioactive material. The other is a spacecraft powered by nuclear energy that leaves dust in front of its surface as it travels. Loeb calls the first option highly unlikely and says the second would require stronger evidence to be viable. If the object is not a classic comet, its true size could be smaller than thought, similar to the earlier interstellar visitors 1I Oumuamua and 2I Borisov. The object will pass relatively close to Mars this fall, giving scientists a chance to study it up close. Loeb notes that NASA s HiRISE team could image the object if the agency approves, and he has urged them to be ready.

The case tests how science handles ambiguous data and competing explanations. A broad consensus still treats 3I/ATLAS as a comet, while Loeb pushes for more data to test unusual ideas. This tension between skepticism and curiosity is a normal part of scientific progress, especially with signals that sit at the edge of current knowledge. The situation also highlights the risk of over interpreting faint observations and the need for careful, reproducible measurements rather than sensational headlines.

The upcoming Mars flyby offers a rare chance to gather new data. If imaging reveals unexpected features or spectra, the discussion could shift, but any claim will still require corroboration from independent observations. The episode shows how researchers, space agencies, and the public interact when facing a potentially extraordinary signal from space. It is a reminder that science advances through patient data gathering and open debate, not rush to conclusion.

Highlights

The next days and weeks will test how we separate interesting questions from credible evidence