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Astronomers Confirm 3I/ATLAS as Icy Interstellar Comet, Not Alien Probe

A series of targeted spectroscopic observations will begin ahead of its October 30 perihelion to refine its composition

Overview

  • NASA and global observatories classify 3I/ATLAS as a natural comet based on its hyperbolic trajectory and active coma
  • Recent studies place its nucleus at about 11.2 kilometers in diameter, making it the largest interstellar object recorded
  • Orbit calculations show it will stay at least 1.6 astronomical units from Earth, eliminating any impact risk
  • Mainstream researchers, including Samantha Lawler and Chris Lintott, dismiss artificial‐probe claims as lacking evidence
  • A minority led by Avi Loeb continues to push for non-gravitational acceleration and radio-survey tests to examine technological origins