NASA’s Perseverance rover captures mysterious interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on Mars: Is it alien probe or just a cosmic artefact |

A just lately circulated picture from NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover has sparked renewed fascination with interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. The picture seems to point out a brilliant, cylindrical object shifting throughout the Martian sky, igniting on-line debates about its true nature. While some speculate it may very well be an alien spacecraft, consultants recommend the form might consequence from long-exposure imaging, creating an elongated artifact. Astronomers and area lovers are intently analyzing NASA’s uncooked information, trying to tell apart between photographic results and real interstellar phenomena. The comet, which handed close to Mars on October 3, 2025, measures roughly 46 kilometers in diameter and travels at round 60 kilometers per second, making it a uncommon alternative for commentary from each Mars and Earth.

NASA’s Perseverance rover captures potential first photos of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on Mars

NASA’s Perseverance rover, exploring the Martian floor, seems to have photographed interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS throughout its flyby of Mars on October 3, 2025. The comet, estimated at roughly 46 kilometers in diameter, was shifting at an astonishing velocity of 60 kilometers per second.Amateur astronomers and area lovers, together with Stefan Burns and Simeon Schmauß, started analyzing NASA’s uncooked picture datasets. Burns compiled a nine-minute time-lapse from the rover’s Mastcam-Z photos on October 2, exhibiting a brilliant object quickly crossing the Martian sky. Similarly, Schmauß recognized a faint smudge of sunshine close to the comet’s predicted location, which may point out Perseverance captured an early glimpse of the interstellar customer on October 1.“After stacking 20 images from Mastcam-Z, I found a faint smudge of light in the constellation Corona Borealis near the predicted position,” Schmauß defined.If confirmed, these photos may characterize the earliest photographs of 3I/ATLAS from Mars’ floor.

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS sparks debate over alien probe principle and strange trajectory

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS was first noticed by NASA on July 1, 2025. Classified as solely the third confirmed interstellar customer to our photo voltaic system—following ‘Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019—the comet’s trajectory is very uncommon. Unlike typical comets with elliptical orbits across the Sun, 3I/ATLAS follows a hyperbolic path, coming into from deep area and persevering with again into interstellar area.Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb has instructed that 3I/ATLAS may not be a pure object. In his e-book Extraterrestrial, Loeb hypothesizes that the comet may very well be an alien probe despatched to discover our photo voltaic system, pointing to its uncommon velocity and trajectory as supporting proof. However, most scientists argue that the comet’s movement and look might be defined by pure cometary processes, together with the sublimation of ice producing a seen coma and tail.This debate highlights the significance of cautious commentary and exploration, significantly when interstellar objects defy typical expectations.

Viral picture of 3I/ATLAS on Mars sparks hypothesis however could also be digicam artefact

The viral picture of 3I/ATLAS exhibits a glowing cylindrical form, resulting in hypothesis that the comet may very well be an alien spaceship. Experts warning, nonetheless, that this elongation is probably going a results of lengthy publicity or integration occasions utilized by the rover’s Mastcam-Z system. Long-duration imaging can stretch brilliant objects, creating artifacts that seem elongated or cylindrical.While intriguing to the general public, these photographic quirks don’t essentially point out extraterrestrial know-how. Nonetheless, the picture affords helpful information for astronomers finding out the interstellar customer from a distinctive vantage level: the floor of Mars.

NASA’s Perseverance rover captures comet 3I/ATLAS flying previous Mars

The flyby of 3I/ATLAS round Mars on October 3 generated world consideration amongst scientists, astronomers, and area lovers. Social media platforms rapidly shared photos, time-lapses, and analyses from each skilled and newbie observers.Stefan Burns’ time-lapse confirmed speedy motion throughout the Martian sky, whereas Simeon Schmauß’ evaluation highlighted a faint mild close to the comet’s predicted location. If verified, these observations present unprecedented insights into 3I/ATLAS’ path, velocity, and visibility from one other planetary floor.

Is 3I/ATLAS a menace to Earth

Despite sensational on-line theories, interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS poses no menace to Earth. Its closest method might be 1.8 astronomical models (about 170 million miles) away—over 4 occasions the space between Earth and the Moon. NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have confirmed that the comet will safely go by way of the photo voltaic system earlier than persevering with its journey again into interstellar area.This uncommon alternative permits scientists to check an interstellar object up shut whereas guaranteeing our planet stays fully protected.Also Read | Comet 3I/ATLAS: Rare interstellar customer speeds by way of photo voltaic system at 130,000 mph, passing Mars and Jupiter