Overview
- South Africa’s MeerKAT telescope recorded hydroxyl (OH) absorption tied to 3I/ATLAS on October 24, the object’s first reported radio detection.
- Astronomers attribute the signal to OH produced when sunlight breaks apart water vapor in the comet’s coma, not to any technological source.
- MeerKAT’s detection followed non-detections on September 20 and 28, with the signature emerging as the comet neared and passed perihelion on October 29 after reappearing from behind the Sun.
- NASA documented intense water jets in October and observers reported a brief brightening, a temporary color shift, and an anti-tail consistent with strong perihelion activity.
- Researchers continue coordinated observations across wavelengths, and claims that the object is an alien craft remain unsupported, even as Avi Loeb acknowledged the OH result.