No, a Comet Is Not on a Collision Course With Earth – 3i atlas news (3I/ATLAS)
Rumours on social media claiming a massive comet is racing towards Earth are making waves online, but space agencies say there’s no truth to the doomsday talk.
The object in question is 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar comet first detected by NASA’s ATLAS 3i telescope on July 1, 2025. Viral posts have exaggerated its speed and even suggested it could be an alien probe or part of a secret military operation. Some posts falsely quoted physicist Michio Kaku, claiming hostile intent, while others linked the comet to U.S. defense meetings.
What’s Actually Happening?
NASA confirms the comet passed Earth safely on July 21, 2025, at a distance of 270 million km (168 million miles)—over twice the distance between Earth and the Sun.
The European Space Agency (ESA) also dismissed claims of danger, noting it poses no threat to Earth or any other planet.
At its closest approach to the Sun on October 30, 2025, the comet will still be about 210 million km away, near the orbit of Mars.
Though 3I/ATLAS is moving at a record-breaking 210,000 km/h (130,500 mph), NASA says the only thing it brings is scientific opportunity. Astronomers are using the Hubble Space Telescope to measure its size, which could range from 440 meters to 5.6 km across.
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Where Did the Alien Rumours Start?
Speculation exploded after a New York Post article on September 29 with a dramatic headline suggesting the comet might be “alien technology.” Screenshots of the article spread quickly on X (formerly Twitter), fueling conspiracy theories. Fake quotes, edited TV screenshots, and claims of “secret missions” added to the hype.
Fact-checking agency SANAD reviewed the claims and confirmed there’s no evidence the comet is dangerous—or alien. The alleged quotes from Kaku were pulled from an unrelated interview months before 3I/ATLAS was even discovered.
The Bottom Line
3I/ATLAS is a fascinating visitor from beyond our solar system, but it is not on a crash course with Earth. Instead, it offers scientists a rare chance to study an interstellar comet up close, without any risk to humanity.
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