The object known as 3I/ATLAS has captured global attention after the Hubble Space Telescope revealed a mysterious forward-facing glow instead of a typical comet tail. Discovered on 1 July 2025, it is only the third interstellar object ever observed passing through our solar system, following ‘Oumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019).
Travelling at nearly 209,000 kilometres per hour—fast enough to cover the distance from Karachi to Lahore in less than 10 seconds—3I/ATLAS is currently passing through the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
What Makes 3I/ATLAS Unusual
Hubble’s 21 July image showed a diffuse, asymmetric glow ahead of the object, not behind it as in normal comets. This unusual feature has led to two main theories:
- Natural origin: A dust-rich comet releasing mostly large grains that resist being pushed back by solar radiation.
- Artificial origin: An alien spacecraft theory suggested by Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb, where the glow could be a “buffer zone” of particles intentionally sprayed forward to detect and avoid asteroid collisions.
“On my scale, where zero is natural and ten is artificial, I currently rank 3I/ATLAS as a four,” Loeb wrote in his latest analysis.
Size, Speed and Danger Potential
Estimates suggest 3I/ATLAS could be up to 20 kilometres in diameter—about the size of Islamabad city. At its speed, a collision with even a 20-metre asteroid could release energy equal to 1,000 Hiroshima bombs.
Key facts from observatories:
- Size: 305 metres to 20 km wide
- Speed: 60 km/s (209,000 km/h)
- Current location: Main asteroid belt
- Closest approach to Sun (perihelion): 29 October 2025
- Visibility gap: Late Oct to early Dec (hidden behind the Sun)
Comparisons With ‘Oumuamua
Like ‘Oumuamua, 3I/ATLAS has no visible gas or dust tail, puzzling scientists. However, ‘Oumuamua was much smaller—around 200 metres long—while 3I/ATLAS could be up to 100 times more massive. Both have retrograde orbits, meaning they travel opposite to most planets’ paths.
This path alignment with the ecliptic plane (where planets orbit) is rare—just 0.2% probability—and perfectly timed for close approaches to Mars, Venus, and Jupiter.
What Pakistan’s Space Community Can Learn
Pakistan’s SUPARCO currently focuses on satellite launches and Earth observation. Experts say studying 3I/ATLAS could encourage investment in deep-space observation projects. Local universities offering astrophysics could use global data to train students in orbital mechanics and space object tracking.
If Pakistan had access to a facility like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory—which is expected to detect 5–50 interstellar objects in the next decade—our astronomers could play a greater role in global space research.
Next Steps in Observation
3I/ATLAS will soon be monitored by telescopes including the James Webb Space Telescope and W.M. Keck Observatory. Scientists hope to determine its composition and confirm whether its glow is caused by large dust grains or an engineered particle shield.
From October 29 to early December, the object will be hidden behind the Sun, making continued tracking urgent. Once it re-emerges, researchers will look for signs of smaller objects or “mini-probes” that might be released during its close approaches.
Why This Matters Globally
Interstellar objects give scientists rare insights into material from other star systems. Studying them can help answer big questions about the formation of planets and whether intelligent life exists elsewhere.
