A blazing interstellar object streaks across the night sky as a telescope looks on, highlighting the growing mystery surrounding 3I/ATLAS.

Astronomers are keeping a close eye on 3I/ATLAS, the third known interstellar comet to pass through our Solar System — and it’s turning out to be one of the most intriguing cosmic visitors yet. New observations reveal that the comet glows a faint green hue and displays several active jets, including one that oddly points toward the Sun, forming a rare “anti-tail” structure.

According to data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, 3I/ATLAS contains an unusually high ratio of carbon dioxide to water vapor, indicating it may have formed in a much colder and more distant environment than our Solar System. Currently drifting through the constellation Virgo, the comet continues to brighten rapidly as it nears its closest approach to Earth in December 2025, though it will remain safely millions of miles away. Scientists say studying 3I/ATLAS could offer valuable clues about how comets form around other stars — and what materials might exist beyond our solar neighborhood.

(Sources: Live Science, Orbital Today, NASA Science)

Sinking Cities: Why Parts of Phoenix—and Much of Urban America—Are Slowly Dropping

Sinking Cities: Why Parts of Phoenix—and Much of Urban America—Are Slowly Dropping

https://stmdailynews.com/science/

Last Updated on November 5, 2025 by Daily News Staff

In July 2025, astronomers using the ATLAS survey in Chile spotted something extraordinary: an object racing through our Solar System on a hyperbolic path—meaning it isn’t bound to the Sun. Officially named 3I/ATLAS, it’s only the third confirmed interstellar visitor ever detected, after 1I/ʻOumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019).

While most scientists view 3I/ATLAS as a particularly strange comet, one prominent astrophysicist—Dr. Avi Loeb of Harvard University—has suggested that we shouldn’t rule out other possibilities too quickly.

🔭 What Makes 3I/ATLAS So Unusual

Early data from NASA, ESA, and observatories worldwide show 3I/ATLAS behaving in ways that defy expectations:

• Its coma (the cloud around the nucleus) is unusually rich in carbon dioxide, with a CO₂-to-H₂O ratio of roughly 8 to 1—far higher than typical comets.
• A “forward glow” has been detected ahead of its motion toward the Sun, rather than a trailing tail pointing away.
• Its trajectory aligns almost perfectly with the plane of the planets, a coincidence Loeb calls statistically rare (about 1 in 500 by his estimate).

These traits have made 3I/ATLAS a scientific curiosity—and for Loeb, a test case for how open-minded science should be.

🧠 Loeb’s Argument: Keep Every Door Open

In a series of essays on Medium and papers on arXiv, Loeb argues that science advances by questioning assumptions, even when those questions sound uncomfortable.

“Would it be better if 3I/ATLAS happens to be a spacecraft?” he asks half-jokingly in one post.

“We must be open to the possibility that new data on interstellar objects does not reflect the same science as past data on Solar System comets.”

Loeb doesn’t claim that 3I/ATLAS is alien technology—but he believes scientists should entertain all plausible hypotheses until the data clearly point one way.

In another article, he even scored the comet a “4 out of 10” on what he calls the “Loeb Scale” of possible technological origin—a tongue-in-cheek ranking that signals “worth watching, not worth panicking.”

🧩 The Scientific Response

Most astronomers strongly disagree with Loeb’s speculative framing.  Observations from the James Webb Space Telescope and ground-based instruments reveal chemical and physical signatures consistent with a natural comet.  According to Phys.org, the carbon-dioxide-dominant coma and early outgassing could simply mean 3I/ATLAS formed in a colder, more distant region of another star system.

NASA and ESA scientists emphasize that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and so far nothing about 3I/ATLAS violates known physics.

Still, Loeb maintains that “asking bold questions costs nothing.”  His critics may roll their eyes, but they also admit that ʻOumuamua—the first interstellar object—surprised everyone too.

🚀 Why This Debate Matters

3I/ATLAS will swing closest to the Sun in late October 2025 before heading back into interstellar space forever.  Whether it’s a dusty snowball or a cosmic enigma, it offers a rare chance to study material from beyond our Solar System.

Loeb’s writings—controversial or not—highlight an important truth about science: discovery begins when we admit we don’t yet know.

As he wrote in The Duck Test of 3I/ATLAS:

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“If it looks like a comet and behaves like a comet, then fine—it’s a comet.

But if not, we should be brave enough to ask why.”

🔗 

Further Reading

• Avi Loeb’s Medium blog
• Phys.org – JWST reveals CO₂-rich 3I/ATLAS coma
• The Guardian – NASA debunks alien claims
• Science NASA.gov – Official 3I/ATLAS Overview

The science section of our news blog STM Daily News provides readers with captivating and up-to-date information on the latest scientific discoveries, breakthroughs, and innovations across various fields. We offer engaging and accessible content, ensuring that readers with different levels of scientific knowledge can stay informed. Whether it’s exploring advancements in medicine, astronomy, technology, or environmental sciences, our science section strives to shed light on the intriguing world of scientific exploration and its profound impact on our daily lives. From thought-provoking articles to informative interviews with experts in the field, STM Daily News Science offers a harmonious blend of factual reporting, analysis, and exploration, making it a go-to source for science enthusiasts and curious minds alike. https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/

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Last Updated on October 18, 2025 by Daily News Staff

Phoenix skywatchers are in for a treat tonight as not one, but two comets — C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) and C/2025 R2 (SWAN) — make their way across the evening sky. Both are now bright enough to be seen through a good pair of binoculars, and one may even flirt with naked-eye visibility under dark conditions.

If you’ve ever wanted to catch a comet without fancy equipment, tonight’s your chance.

🌌 What You’ll See

Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) has been gaining brightness through October and now glows with a faint greenish hue, a sign of vaporized gases and carbon compounds in its tail. Under Phoenix’s clear skies, you may spot it as a fuzzy, glowing patch — brighter than most surrounding stars when viewed through binoculars.

The second visitor, Comet SWAN (C/2025 R2), is also within binocular range, adding to this rare double-comet spectacle. Though smaller and dimmer than Lemmon, it’s still worth the hunt.

🕗 When and Where to Look

• Best viewing time: About 30–60 minutes after sunset (roughly between 7:00 and 7:30 PM in Phoenix).
• Comet Lemmon: Look toward the northwest to west horizon, about midway between the bright star Arcturus and the handle of the Big Dipper.
• Comet SWAN: Scan the southwest sky, just above where the Sun has recently set.

Both comets will be low on the horizon, so find an open spot with no buildings or trees blocking your view.

🔭 Tips for Best Viewing

• Use binoculars (7×50 or 10×50 are ideal).
• Step away from bright city lights — South Mountain, Papago Park, or the outskirts of Phoenix offer better visibility.
• Allow your eyes 10–15 minutes to adjust to darkness.
• Bring a stargazing app (like Sky Tonight or Star Walk 2) and search the comet names to track them in real-time.
• If you have a tripod, use it — even slight hand movements can blur the view.

🌙 What to Expect

Comets aren’t as bright or defined as the ones we see in movies. Through binoculars, expect a small, glowing orb with a hint of a tail — especially for Lemmon. As the comet continues to approach the Sun in late October, it may brighten even further.

For many observers, simply knowing you’re seeing an object that’s traveled millions of miles through space makes the experience unforgettable.

⚠️ A Few Things to Note

• Visibility can change night to night depending on brightness, weather, and moonlight.
• If clouds or haze roll in, try again over the next few evenings — both comets will remain visible for several more nights.
• Don’t be discouraged if you don’t spot it immediately — comet hunting takes patience, but the reward is worth it.

📸 Share the Moment

If you manage to snap a photo of Comet Lemmon or SWAN from Phoenix, tag @stmdailynews on social media and use #STMSkyWatch — we might feature your photo in an upcoming article.

For more astronomy updates, local skywatching events, and science news, visit STM DailyNews Astronomy.

About the Comets

• How to See Rare Comet Lemmon During Its Once-in-a-Lifetime Visit – People
• Comet Lemmon: How and When to Watch – Wired
• Two Bright, Once-in-a-Lifetime Comets Visible This Month – Washington Post
• Comet Lemmon Shines in October Skies – Astronomy.com
• How to See Comet SWAN (C/2025 R2) in October – Space.com
• Comet SWAN 2025: What to Expect – EarthSky.org

Skywatching Tools

• Sky Tonight – Stargazing App (App Store)
• Star Walk 2 – Interactive Astronomy Guide
• Heavens-Above: Current Comet Positions

For Phoenix Skywatchers

• Phoenix Clear Sky Chart – Weather for Astronomers
• Phoenix Light Pollution Map – Dark Site Finder
• Arizona Science Center – Astronomy Events