Overview
- NASA reported measurable non‑gravitational acceleration in 3I/ATLAS and modeling that anticipates substantial outgassing with possible major mass loss and a debris plume.
- A U.S. Naval Research Laboratory paper described a rapid brightening near perihelion and measurements showing the object appearing distinctly bluer than the Sun.
- Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb suggested the acceleration could reflect a technological engine, while noting natural explanations such as ionized carbon monoxide remain possible.
- Ground-based telescopes have limited visibility while the object is behind the Sun, with reappearance expected in early December and closest Earth approach on Dec. 19 at about 167 million miles.
- Elon Musk publicly speculated about an alien origin and impact risk, as NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy reiterated that it is an interstellar comet and poses no danger to life on Earth.