Radio Signal Confirms 3I/ATLAS as Natural Comet as Brightness Dips
The OH-line detection points to water photodissociation typical of comet activity.
Overview
- Radio telescopes detected emission at 1665–1667 MHz that scientists attribute to OH from water breakdown, bolstering the case for a natural cometary origin.
- Optical monitoring from the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy (IKI RAS) reports roughly a 37% decline in brightness over about a week.
- Despite the fade, 3I/ATLAS remains the fourth-brightest among more than 100 comets currently observable to professionals.
- Trajectory calculations forecast a safe closest approach of about 269 million km on December 19, after which the object will recede.
- 3I/ATLAS is the third confirmed interstellar visitor, visible only with large research telescopes as observatories worldwide continue coordinated tracking.