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.

Read more at:

• NASA Science
• ESA News
• SETI Institute

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:

“We should not hold science hostage to the shutdown politics of the day... Joe Rogan suggested that I contact the interim NASA administrator, Sean Duffy.”

NASA has not issued a direct rebuttal but cited a funding lapse as the reason for the delayed updates. As per an October 1 NASA Science report, the agency stated:

“There has been a lapse in funding … civil servant points of contact … will be unable to respond.”

What the Data Actually Shows

Meanwhile, ESA released faint detections from ExoMars CaSSIS and Mars Express, with ESA scientist Nick Thomas noting:

“This was a very challenging observation for the instrument. The comet is around 10,000 to 100,000 times fainter than our usual target.”

Comet 31/ATLAS Visible from Earth: Astronomers Capture Stunning Images of the Interstellar Visitor - USA Herald

NASA’s August 25 report stressed that 31/ATLAS poses no threat to Earth, reaffirming its natural composition. Hubble’s image showed a teardrop-shaped dust coma, typical of cometary outgassing. The JWST spectra confirmed a CO₂-rich coma, while ESO’s Very Large Telescope detected faint traces of nickel and iron, similar to other active comets.

The SETI Institute has clarified that “interstellar does not mean mysterious signals by default,” addressing social media speculation about alleged radio pulses.

Harvard’s Hypothesis vs. Scientific Consensus

Loeb continues to propose that non-gravitational acceleration observed near perihelion could hint at unusual physics. However, pre-perihelion orbital fits by Cloete, Loeb, and Vereš found no measurable acceleration beyond normal outgassing. The final verdict will depend on post-conjunction astrometry, which will emerge as 31/ATLAS reappears from the Sun’s glare.

A coordinated International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) campaign, running Nov. 27, 2025–Jan. 27, 2026, aims to settle the debate with high-precision tracking data.

For now, scientists agree that 31/ATLAS behaves like a natural interstellar comet, one that will eventually exit the Solar System after its close pass by the Sun. As NASA resumes operations, more images and spectra are expected to be released — bringing clarity to one of 2025’s most fascinating cosmic visitors.