For the first time since its discovery in June, scientists have been able to detect a strange radio signal from the mysterious interstellar comet as it races through our solar system.
Previous attempts by astronomers to detect a signal from 3I/ATLAS on September 20 and 28 had failed.
However, now South Africa’s MeerKAT radio telescope has detected absorption lines from hydroxyl (OH) molecules made of hydrogen and oxygen. This signal was detected on October 24.
The detection came just days after the comet passed through the orbital plane of the Earth, making it easier to detect the distinct radio signature.
Harvard astrophysicist Dr Avi Loeb, who has been warning about the 3I/ATLAS, noted several anomalies that make it distinct from any other natural comet.
The latest images of 3I/ATLAS taken on November 9 show a massive amount of jets being emitted by the comet both toward and away from the Sun.
According to Daily Mail, the jets emission line stretches nearly 600,000 miles toward the Sun and nearly 1.8 million miles away from it, indicating the massive size of the comet.
After calculations, Loeb predicted the interstellar object to be at least six miles or larger.
While noting anomalies such as rapid perihelion brightening, required mass loss and size, Loeb stated, “The numbers are challenging a natural comet explanation.”
