NASA Investigates Comet 3I/ATLAS After Bizarre New Findings

A new discovery regarding comet 3I/ATLAS has captured the attention of scientists and space enthusiasts alike. As the comet approaches the sun, a recent photograph has sparked discussions and theories about its unusual characteristics. The image, shared on October 20, 2025, by a space enthusiast known as Dobsonian Power on X, reveals a circular shape distinct from the comet itself, raising questions about the nature of this celestial body.

The photo included precise coordinates provided by NASA: 2025-Oct-20 16:00 13 48 57.33 – 08 25 54.3. The enthusiast noted that the image, taken with a solar telescope, shows what appears to be a heated shield facing the sun and a faint puff resembling a small cone extending towards the upper left. The observer stated, “No tail. A dark nucleus due to inverted colour. 100% raw picture, non-processed.” This claim adds to the intrigue surrounding 3I/ATLAS, especially considering the absence of a tail, which is typically seen in comets.

Compounding the mystery, the New York Post reported that Dr. Avi Loeb, an astrophysicist at Harvard, suggested that 3I/ATLAS might be emitting a rare alloy known as nickel tetracarbonyl. This alloy is noted for being produced through human processing, which raises significant questions. According to Dr. Loeb, the comet was observed emitting a plume containing four grams of nickel per second without any trace of iron, a phenomenon rarely seen in comets. “There is only one place where that is known to exist, and that is in industrially produced nickel alloys,” he stated, emphasizing the uniqueness of this observation.

The comet was first photographed by the Hubble telescope on July 21, 2025. Dr. Loeb pointed out that typically, comets exhibit beautiful tails extending away from the sun, yet 3I/ATLAS shows no evidence of such a feature. In contrast, past comets that have approached Earth contained measurable amounts of both nickel and iron, making the mineral composition of 3I/ATLAS particularly unusual.

Further analysis from the Keck Observatory indicates that while the phenomenon is rare, it may not be as extraordinary as initially thought. Their findings suggest that the emission of nickel tetracarbonyl could potentially occur through natural processes. Nickel tetracarbonyl is commonly used in industrial applications, including metal coatings and the aerospace sector, where it serves to strengthen surface materials.

As research continues, scientists remain divided on the implications of these findings. The prospect of extraterrestrial materials or processes adds an exciting dimension to our understanding of comets. Observations of 3I/ATLAS will continue, particularly after its perihelion, when researchers hope to gather more data.

The ongoing investigation into comet 3I/ATLAS underscores the complexity of our solar system and the mysteries still awaiting discovery. As space enthusiasts and professionals alike keep a close watch, this comet may yet reveal secrets that challenge our understanding of the cosmos.