Overview
- Astronomers using South Africa’s MeerKAT array reported the first radio detection from 3I/ATLAS, finding OH lines consistent with water photodissociation in the comet’s coma.
- MeerKAT’s October 24 detection contrasts with non-detections on September 20 and 28, indicating activity ramped up around perihelion at the end of October.
- Scientists describe 3I/ATLAS as an unusual but natural comet, citing atypical chemistry, a vivid coma, long jets, and an anti-tail, while noting no confirmed fragmentation of the nucleus.
- Claims that the object could be technological remain a minority view and are disputed by researchers who point to images and multiwavelength data showing ordinary cometary behavior.
- The object—only the third confirmed interstellar visitor—will pass safely nearest Earth on December 19, 2025 before a Jupiter encounter in March 2026, with coordinated ground and space observations planned.