The first radio signal from comet 3i / atlas ends the debate about its nature
A lot of evidence they have came to support the natural origin of Comet 3i / Atlas. After weeks of conspiracy theories, social media debates, and speculation on popular podcasts like Joe Rogan’s, this interstellar object is still a comet. The most recent confirmation came from the South African sample receiving the first radio signal from 3i / Atlas.
But how? A radio signal? That would have to prove something technological in nature, wouldn’t it? This thing, this is not a radio signal like a transmission emitted by a spacecraft. In that is the radio frequency pattern detected by the meerkat, a radio telescope made up of 64 antennas – each with a diameter of 13.5 meters operated by the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory. And what did they see? “Oh oh we were received on 1665 MHZ lines and 1667 MHZ,” according to the investigators.
What the meerkats found directly were lines of radio emission made of hydroxyl radicals, that is, oh molecules, a pattern that can be consistent with the normal activity of a comet. The lines appeared to be Absorption because 3i / Atlas was very close to the Sun and looking at the geometry favorm the inclusion due to the emission. This is something that was explained in a thread a few days ago when the argument about the difference in gravitational acceleration arose: When comets reach their closest point to the sun, they receive a very large amount of radiation. This also causes them to change their trajectory.
The hydroxyl radical (oh) can absorb or emit radiation at certain frequencies (such as the 1665 and 1667 MHz lines) due to its energy levels. These optical fibers have been detected in nebulae, comets, and interstellar regions. Oh, it helps astronomers break up the map- and water-born regions of the atmosphere because they make them “shine” brightly in the radio.
Is there still hope for more than a comet?
The discovery will take place on October 24, five days before 3i / atlas reaches its closest point to the sun. Meerkat has tried to receive radio signals before, on September 20 and 28, without success. “Five weeks ago, I encouraged a radio operator who identified as Meerkat to search for radio emissions from 3i / atlas with the arrival of 187. “In response, I was assured that 3i / atlas would be considered by Radio Persercoatories as Meerkat.”
Loeb admitted that “no radio detection of 3i / atlas has been reported so far, except for the absorption signal oh.” Of course, continuous monitoring of the substance will have to be done to determine whether the production of OH is constant or long-lasting, and things like the level, to reach firm conclusions in their nature.
Loeb has been among the most vocal providers of the hypothesis advocates that the 3i / atlas has a technological origin. (He’s also invited Kim Kardashian to join his research team.). The discovery of the Meerkat did not dampen his drive to investigate the comet’s condition. “On March 16, 2026, 3i / Atlas is expected to pass 53 million kilometers from Jupiter. At that time, the juno spacecraft will use its antenna to search for radio from 50 hertz to 40 Megahertz.
Will the discovery of the meerkat be enough to put an end to the theories about the 3i / Atlas? Probably not, and at least the discussions have increased general percicial awareness and interest in astrofesics. In the meantime, you can live the trajectory of comet 3i / atlas here. And don’t forget to mark December 19 on the calendar – that’s when the Instantstellar visitor will reach the closest point to Earth.
This story originally appeared on the Español thread and has been translated into Spanish.
