Interstellar object 31/ATLAS has turned a rare scientific moment into a noisy debate over transparency, data releases, and alleged radio signals. The object — only the third confirmed interstellar visitor — continues to captivate astronomers and the public alike. In July, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope captured a dust coma surrounding 31/ATLAS, a signature of sublimating ice.
A Rare Visitor with a Dust Coma: NASA and ESA Observe 31/ATLAS
Later, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) recorded spectra rich in carbon dioxide, providing key insights into its composition. Even Mars orbiters joined in, attempting side-on views as the comet swept past the Red Planet.
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Claims of Withheld Images and Funding Freeze
Controversy erupted after Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb alleged that NASA withheld images captured by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) on October 2–3. Loeb argued that science data should not be delayed due to funding issues, noting in a Medium post (Nov. 1, 2025) that:
