The interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, initially discovered as a comet, is observed to be emitting water vapor, which is unusual for an object so far from the sun.
This has led to speculation and discussion about whether it could be a technological object or a comet with a unique composition.
3I/ATLAS was identified as the third confirmed interstellar object, meaning it originated from outside our solar system.
Some have suggested the possibility that 3I/ATLAS is an artificial object, possibly a probe or spacecraft, due to the unexpected water release.
Scientists are continuing to study 3I/ATLAS to determine its true nature and the source of its water emission.
The interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is estimated to be between 0.32 and 5.6 kilometers (0.2 to 3.5 miles) in diameter, with the most likely size being less than 1 kilometer.
However, these are estimates for the nucleus, and the object is surrounded by a coma of gas and dust, which makes determining the exact size challenging.
While early estimates suggested a size of around 10-20 kilometers, more recent observations, particularly by the Hubble Space Telescope, have narrowed down the likely size to be smaller.
๐จ 3I/ATLAS Is Leaking Water In Deep Space And It's Not Supposed To.
— Skywatch Signal (@UAPWatchers) August 8, 2025
A new peer reviewed study just confirmed OH emission in the third interstellar object ever discovered.
Translation? This thing is venting water 3.5 AU from the Sun.
๐งต Here's why that matters:๐#3IATLASโฆ pic.twitter.com/3PYyoTtQRf
Where is interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS headedโand how close will it come to Earth? โ๏ธ
— Ansys (@ANSYS) July 11, 2025
Using the latest data from @NASAJPL, we mapped the path of this rare visitor with Ansys STK as it speeds through our solar system.
Watch the full trajectory in the model below. ๐ pic.twitter.com/p64YChCZdL
