Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS Emits Unique Metal Alloy, Harvard Scientist Reveals

A recent study has unveiled that the interstellar object known as 3I/ATLAS is producing a metal alloy never before seen in nature. This discovery was made by Dr. Avi Loeb, an astrophysicist at Harvard University, who reported that the object is emitting a plume containing four grams of nickel per second without any detectable iron. This phenomenon was observed using the Keck II Telescope in Hawaii, with images released on October 17, 2025.

The alloy produced by 3I/ATLAS is identified as nickel tetracarbonyl, a compound typically found only in industrial manufacturing. “There is only one place where that is known to exist, and that is in industrially produced nickel alloys,” Loeb stated. He emphasized that this is unprecedented for any celestial object, particularly comets.

Mystifying Features of 3I/ATLAS

Another intriguing aspect of 3I/ATLAS is its lack of a traditional cometary tail. Comets usually exhibit beautiful tails extending away from the Sun; however, this object shows no evidence of such a formation. Instead, images from the Hubble Space Telescope revealed a stream of material directed toward the Sun, flowing at a rate of approximately 330 pounds per second. “Why are we seeing a jet pointed at the Sun?” Loeb questioned, highlighting the unusual nature of this observation.

The composition of the stream includes primarily carbon dioxide and water, with trace amounts of cyanide and nickel but notably no iron. This distinct feature raises questions about the processes occurring in 3I/ATLAS and its interactions with solar radiation.

Awaiting Further Observations

As excitement builds among astronomers and space enthusiasts, many are eagerly anticipating additional images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. These images, captured between October 4 and October 7, 2025, are expected to provide critical insights into 3I/ATLAS during its brief journey through the inner Solar System. However, the release of this data has been delayed due to a government shutdown affecting NASA’s communications department.

Dr. Loeb expressed urgency regarding the need for scientific data, stating, “Who cares about the communication departments? We want to see the data from the scientists.” The data gathered from the HiRISE camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will likely be the most detailed observations available, offering a unique opportunity to study this enigmatic interstellar visitor.

The findings surrounding 3I/ATLAS challenge existing knowledge about the materials present in our solar system and the behavior of interstellar objects, paving the way for further research and exploration in the field of astrophysics.