An extraordinary event is unfolding in space as the interstellar object known as 3I/ATLAS encounters a massive explosion from the Sun, termed a coronal mass ejection. Discovered on July 1, 2025, by the ATLAS survey in Chile, this rare celestial meeting presents a unique opportunity for astronomers to study the interaction between an alien object and solar phenomena. The coronal mass ejection, a billion-tonne burst of magnetised particles, is on a direct collision course with 3I/ATLAS, which is only the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system.
The crucial moment of closest approach, known as perihelion, occurred on October 29, 2025. As the scientific community eagerly awaits data from this event, the implications of this collision extend beyond mere observation. The interaction between the Sun’s plasma and 3I/ATLAS will provide valuable insights into the object’s composition, density, and origins.
Scientific Significance of the Encounter
The last time a solar explosion interacted with a small body was in April 2007, when an asteroid within our solar system encountered a similar solar event. Observations from NASA’s STEREO A spacecraft captured the asteroid losing its tail temporarily due to the intense solar material. In contrast, 3I/ATLAS is an enormous object, estimated to weigh up to 33 billion tons and measuring between 440 metres and 5.6 kilometres in diameter. Its size and unusual composition—rich in nickel—raise questions about how it will respond to the solar blast.
Recent observations from the James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope have confirmed that 3I/ATLAS is an active comet. However, its strange characteristics have led some researchers to propose more exotic theories. Notably, Avi Loeb, a Harvard astronomer, has suggested that the object could potentially be an alien craft, modified by intelligent life.
Awaiting New Discoveries
The scientific community is particularly intrigued by 3I/ATLAS’s astonishing speed of 137,000 MPH and its unusual shape, which includes jets of material that appear to be directed toward the Sun. Although the idea of it being an alien craft has captivated some, NASA has downplayed this hypothesis. Recent findings from the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa detected a faint radio signal from 3I/ATLAS, identifying hydroxyl radicals (OH), which are indicative of water vapor. This outgassing occurs as the comet heats up under solar radiation.
The upcoming observations, scheduled for November 16, 2025, through the Virtual Telescope Project, promise to provide clearer views of 3I/ATLAS as it moves closer to Mars. These observations will not only document the aftermath of the solar blast but also confirm the object’s true nature. The outcome of this encounter has significant implications for understanding both interstellar objects and the dynamics of our solar system.
As the data begins to arrive, astronomers worldwide are poised to analyze the results. Will the findings support the notion that 3I/ATLAS is a natural comet, as suggested by the hydroxyl detection? Or will its behavior during the solar interaction reveal new anomalies, reigniting the debate over its origins? The scientific community is bracing itself for what could be a landmark moment in space research.
