Overview
- On October 24, 2025, South Africa’s MeerKAT telescope captured two hydroxyl absorption lines at 1.665 and 1.667 GHz associated with 3I/Atlas after unsuccessful attempts in September.
- The lines showed a velocity shift near −15.6 km/s and narrow widths (about 0.9–1.3 km/s), consistent with cool gas produced when solar heating breaks water into OH.
- Researchers interpret the signature as evidence that the object contains or releases water-related compounds, marking the first reported radio detection tied to an interstellar body.
- Independent monitoring by the Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn and the Green Bank Observatory is underway to verify the detection and broaden spectral coverage.
- Scientists are planning a March 16, 2026 opportunity for NASA’s Juno to search for low-frequency emission near Jupiter, while a December 19 approach to roughly 1.8 AU from Earth is not a threat.