A mysterious glowing object detected in space had sparked widespread speculation — including claims that it might be an alien spacecraft. But Indian and NASA scientists have now confirmed the reality: 3I/ATLAS is a normal interstellar comet, not an extraterrestrial ship.
Researchers at Ahmedabad’s Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) observed the object between November 12 and 15, capturing high-resolution images using a 1.2-meter telescope at Mount Abu (altitude 1680 m).
NASA also released new images this week, fully dismissing alien theories.
PRL’s observations revealed:
A bright, spherical coma — the gaseous cloud surrounding a comet’s nucleus
Spectral signatures including CN, C₂, and C₃ emission bands
Standard characteristics seen in regular solar-system comets
Nicole Fox, NASA’s Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, stated:
“It behaves exactly like a comet. We have detected no signs of alien technology.”
NASA official Amit Kshatriya echoed this, saying that all scientific evidence confirms the object is a comet.
PRL scientists noted that 3I/ATLAS emits gas at a rate of 10²⁵ molecules per second, typical for comets.
The object is now moving out of the inner solar system, but astronomers will continue monitoring it as long as it remains visible in the night sky.