Filenews 26 October 2025
The Troodos Observatory has announced that the 3I/ATLAS interstellar object is raising questions about its nature.
According to the announcement, 3I/ATLAS was detected on July 1, 2025 by ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System), the NASA-funded robotic telescope system developed by the University of Hawaii. The system recorded the unusual orbit and characteristics of the object.
This is the third interstellar object recorded entering our solar system, after Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov.
As reported, its orbit suggests an origin outside our solar system, different from that of typical comets or asteroids, while initial observations reveal compounds, such as traces of organic molecules or unusual metals, that do not fully match known comets. The object has slight deviations in its orbit, not fully explained by gravity or gas emission.
"It is possible that 3I/ATLAS is a natural object, such as a comet with a unique chemical composition, but the alternative theory of artificial origin – possibly an extraterrestrial object or technological remnant – has sparked intense scientific debate," it said.
As Troodos Observatory reports, telescopes in regions such as Hawaii, Chile and South Africa, including the Lowell Observatory and Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope, will continue to monitor the object for high-resolution data.
There are also proposals to send a spacecraft to approach 3I/ATLAS before it moves away from our solar system, although this depends on the availability of resources and the speed of the object.
In addition, scientists from institutions such as NASA, ESA, the Lowell Observatory and the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope are working together to interpret the spectral data and investigate possible evidence of biological or technological origin.
"We expect that by Wednesday, October 29, 2025, new data from perihelion will reveal whether 3I/ATLAS is self-powering, possibly confirming its artificial nature or clarifying its behaviour as a comet," he notes.
3I/ATLAS, he adds, is a unique opportunity for humanity to expand its knowledge of the universe.
"Whether it's a comet with unusual features or something more groundbreaking, studying it will bring us one step closer to understanding space and our role in it. We invite the public to follow the developments and participate in the discussion about the future of space exploration," the announcement concludes.
CNA
