NASA Confirms 3I/ATLAS is a Comet, Not an Alien Probe

An interstellar object known as 3I/ATLAS has captivated the public’s imagination with speculation about its origins. After weeks of silence during the US government’s 43-day shutdown, NASA has confirmed that this celestial body is indeed a comet. On November 19, 2025, the agency released a series of images captured by multiple spacecraft near Mars, dispelling rumors that suggested it could be an alien mothership.

The release of the images marked a significant moment for scientists and enthusiasts alike. Amit Kshatriya, NASA’s associate administrator, made a clear statement regarding the object’s identity: “It looks and behaves like a comet.” This sentiment was reinforced by Nicky Fox, head of NASA’s science mission directorate, who noted, “We certainly haven’t seen any techno signatures or anything from it that would lead us to believe it was anything other than a comet.”

Scientific Analysis of 3I/ATLAS

Despite the agency’s reassurances, the enigmatic characteristics of 3I/ATLAS have fueled ongoing intrigue. Some scientists have observed that the comet possesses unusual chemical ratios and reflects light in ways that do not align with typical solar-system comets. While these anomalies have sparked curiosity, experts caution against jumping to conclusions about extraterrestrial origins.

Oxford astrophysicist Chris Lintott firmly dismissed the alien probe theory, stating, “The idea that 3I/ATLAS could be an alien spacecraft is simply nonsense… you might as well argue that the moon is made of cheese.” This perspective underscores the scientific community’s commitment to evidence-based conclusions.

The Role of Public Interest

The fascination with 3I/ATLAS has been amplified by comments from Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, who previously suggested that the object might be an “alien probe” due to its non-gravitational motion and distinct blue glow observed near the Sun. Such statements have contributed to a viral wave of speculation across social media platforms.

NASA’s recent imagery was described as providing a multi-faceted view of the comet, akin to glimpses of a baseball from different seats in a stadium. Each image, while partial, helps researchers piece together a more comprehensive understanding of this cosmic visitor before it journeys back into the depths of space.

As interest in 3I/ATLAS continues to grow, NASA remains focused on using these observations to advance our understanding of interstellar objects and their trajectories. The agency has committed to sharing ongoing research and findings with the public, reinforcing a collaborative approach to space exploration.

For those keen to explore the latest images and learn more about 3I/ATLAS, NASA has provided resources on its official channels, inviting both the scientific community and the general public to engage with this remarkable event in our solar system.