Overview
- Post-perihelion photos from November 8–9 show at least several jets, including sunward anti-tail features reaching roughly 0.95 million kilometers and a longer jet extending about 2.85 million kilometers anti-sunward.
- The MeerKAT radio telescope detected hydroxyl absorption on October 24, a water-related signature that supports cometary activity.
- NASA/JPL analysts report a measurable non-gravitational acceleration, consistent with anisotropic outgassing, while most researchers continue to treat 3I/ATLAS as an unusual natural comet.
- Some scientists, notably Avi Loeb, argue the brightening and jet momentum could reflect a perihelion breakup or other non-standard processes, a minority view that remains unconfirmed.
- Global campaigns with Hubble, JWST, and ground observatories are underway ahead of the December 19 closest approach at about 269 million kilometers, with Juno opportunities in March 2026 and no threat to Earth reported.