Is 3I/ATLAS Spinning? Shocking Viral Video Ignites Frenzy as Netizens Exclaim ‘Never Seen Anything Like This!’
Fresh images and videos of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS have sparked a wave of speculation on social media, with users questioning whether the comet is “spinning.” Recent visuals from Ray’s Astrophotography, updates from NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and tracking notes from the JUICE mission have reignited public fascination with this rare visitor from beyond our solar system. Despite the virality of claims suggesting rotating motion, dust rings, or “detached shells,” scientific verification of these observations remains absent.
Recent posts have alleged that new footage showcases a circular motion around the comet, fueling curiosity among space enthusiasts. Though intriguing, these assertions lack scientific confirmation. One notable viral claim compared this supposed motion to images previously captured by the ESA’s ExoMars Orbiter, suggesting that 3I/ATLAS might not even be a comet, although no scientific agency has backed this notion. Another user pointed out that Ray’s Astrophotography shared a video at 9 PM EST, while highlighting that NASA plans to unveil updated images during a live event at 3 PM EST on Wednesday. Despite claims that 3I/ATLAS is “spinning,” the scientific community has yet to validate these statements.
Additionally, a third claim posited that stacked images create an impression of multiple objects orbiting a central point. It suggested that dust jets and fluctuating coma patterns could create this visual effect, though these interpretations remain unverified. Users have also pointed out the presence of what they describe as “five perfect dust rings” around the comet’s nucleus, labeling them “detached shells.” However, again, these observations have not been substantiated.
3I/ATLAS was initially discovered on July 1, 2025, by NASA’s ATLAS survey telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile. Its interstellar origin has been confirmed, tracing its route back to a region well beyond the solar system. It is only the third detected interstellar object in our vicinity, following 1I/ʻOumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019. The “I” in its name stands for “interstellar,” indicating its hyperbolic trajectory which ensures it will not return once it exits our solar system.
NASA has confirmed that 3I/ATLAS poses no danger to Earth, traveling at speeds exceeding 210,000 km/h-far too fast for the Sun’s gravity to capture. After its closest approach to the Sun on October 30, 2025, the comet has moved into the pre-dawn sky and is now visible low on the eastern horizon. Observers will need a medium-sized telescope, as it is not visible to the naked eye. Currently, the comet is about 1.8 astronomical units away from Earth’s orbit, and it will remain observable during the early mornings throughout November and December.
Early analyses indicate that 3I/ATLAS may contain substantial amounts of carbon dioxide, resembling icy bodies formed in the frigid regions around distant stars, presenting astronomers with a unique opportunity to study materials from another planetary system. The comet made its closest planetary approach when it passed Mars at a distance of approximately 29 million kilometers on October 2-3.
For those eager to catch a glimpse of this interstellar phenomenon, a telescope with an aperture of at least 8 inches is recommended. The ESA’s JUICE spacecraft is scheduled to observe the comet from November 2 to 25, with data anticipated in 2026. Enthusiasts can also track the comet’s journey through NASA’s “Eyes on the Solar System” online tool.
Tags: 3I/ATLAS, interstellar comet, NASA, ESA, JUICE mission, space observation.
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/trends/is-3i-atlas-spinning-viral-video-sparks-fresh-curiosity-as-netizens-say-never-seen-anything-like-this-11763969050740.html
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Publish Date: 2025-11-24 13:14:00
