Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has surged interest after new videos and images appeared online, prompting many viewers to question whether the comet is spinning. Recent captures from Ray’s Astrophotography, social media posts, mission trackers, and early updates from NASA and ESA have intensified this curiosity. The footage appears to show shifting shapes, circular patterns, and changing brightness within the comet’s coma. Scientific agencies have verified none of these observations, but they have sparked lively debate among space watchers. As 3I/ATLAS makes its first and only journey through our solar system, astronomers expect upcoming high-resolution images to help determine whether these visual effects represent real rotational behaviour or common imaging artefacts.
New footage ‘unverified’ claims possible rotation in 3I/ATLAS and sparks debate
Online discussions began when several posts suggested that the latest imagery revealed a rotating structure around the comet. One widely shared clip, credited to Diego San Araujo, claims and compare the motion to a past image captured by the ESA ExoMars Orbiter. Although striking, this comparison has not been verified. Another user shared footage from Ray’s Astrophotography showing a similar effect, which some interpreted as a spinning core or rotating coma. The creator noted that NASA would release new images during a scheduled live event, adding further anticipation, but the claim of detectable rotation remains unconfirmed.Other posts added more dramatic observations, such as five objects appearing to circle a central point in stacked images. Viewers suggested that this effect could come from shifting coma features, dust jets or irregular outgassing patterns inside the comet’s inner core. Another claim referenced five perfect dust rings stretching 150,000 kilometres from the nucleus, described as detached shells drifting outward. These ideas have captured public imagination but remain unsupported by current scientific analysis. Until NASA and ESA release verified imagery and detailed measurements, these interpretations remain speculation.
Understanding the nature of Interstellar Comet 3I ATLAS
3I/ATLAS was discovered on 1 July 2025 by NASA’s ATLAS survey telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile. NASA confirmed that its trajectory originates from beyond the solar system, making it the third known interstellar object to enter our neighbourhood after 1I ʻOumuamua in 2017 and 2I Borisov in 2019. The number three marks its numerical order among known interstellar visitors, and the letter I identifies its category.Astronomers determined that 3I/ATLAS follows a hyperbolic orbit, meaning it is not bound to the Sun. Once it exits the solar system, it will never return. Its speed is too high for the Sun’s gravity to pull it into a closed orbit, which distinguishes it from typical comets formed within our own system. This makes the object scientifically significant, as it offers a rare sampling of material forged in distant and unknown star systems.
Path, speed and visibility of 3I ATLAS
NASA confirmed that 3I/ATLAS poses no threat to Earth at any stage of its journey. Travelling at more than 210,000 kilometres per hour, it passed its closest point to the Sun on 30 October 2025 and has since moved into a position where it becomes visible before dawn on the low eastern horizon. The comet cannot be viewed with the naked eye and requires a medium-sized telescope. Its distance from Earth is too great for direct visibility, once measuring about 1.8 astronomical units during its earlier approach.Throughout November and December, early morning observers can track it rising in the pre-sunrise sky. Although faint, the comet remains accessible for dedicated amateur astronomers using equipment with sufficient aperture.
Scientific importance of studying 3I ATLAS
Scientists believe that 3I/ATLAS may contain high levels of carbon dioxide, a characteristic shared with comets that form in extremely cold and remote regions far beyond the main planetary zones of their native systems. This composition provides a rare opportunity to study the building blocks of celestial objects formed around distant stars.The comet also made a noteworthy flyby of Mars between 2 and 3 October 2025, passing at approximately 29 million kilometres. This was its closest approach to any planet during its brief traversal of the solar system, giving planetary scientists additional data to examine.Disclaimer: The visuals circulating online are unverified, and no space agency has confirmed any rotational motion or unusual activity in 3I ATLAS. Current claims are based on user-generated footage and should be treated as speculation until NASA or ESA release validated observations.