Interstellar interloper 3I/ATLAS was first spotted on July 01, 2025 by the Chile-based ATLAS, a NASA funded facility. The space agency, however, withheld releasing other media on the comet captured from its Mars-based HiRISE cam when 3I/ATLAS flew closest to the red planet. Along the course of its solar system transit, the interstellar visitor has shown some bizarre properties atypical of a conventional comet, leading some to speculate on its ETI (extraterrestrial intelligence) origin.
Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb requested the images with no response, adding more fuel to conspiracy theories on social media. The recent US government shutdown was blamed for the agency’s reluctance to release the images of the comet that reportedly shows at least 12 anomalies as compiled by Prof. Loeb. Will the speculations be put to rest when NASA goes live at 1:30 am on the 20th of November, releasing the treasure trove of 3I/ATLAS media procured until now?
Here’s a list of all NASA assets that are deployed to observe the comet
Hubble, Webb, TESS, Swift, SPHEREx, Perseverance Mars rover, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Curiosity rover, Europa Clipper, Lucy, Psyche, Parker Solar Probe, PUNCH, and ESA/NASA’s SOHO and Juice.
For its live event, NASA urged social media users to drop their queries.
A rare comet from beyond our solar system is making headlines! Join our live event on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 3pm EST for the latest updates and imagery about comet 3I/ATLAS.
Set a reminder and watch live at: https://t.co/fqAfLj4USi
Submit your questions: #AskNASA pic.twitter.com/YzbvU1tQft
— NASA Solar System (@NASASolarSystem) November 18, 2025
See Also: 3I/ATLAS: Harvard Astrophysicist Avi Loeb Spots 12th Anomaly In The Interstellar Comet
The response to the tweet was memes and a whole lotta skepticism. One user quipped,
YES!!!!! PRETTY DOTS OF LIGHT!!!!!! YEEEESSS WELCOME BACK… BRING COLD HARD SCIENCE BACK INTO FOCUS ….Or is it…Thor ridin with his goats Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr…?”
Another user jibed,
It would be appropriate to start with “A rare unknown object from beyond our solar system is making headlines!” A mere school student or a large space research org, humility and openness are the best qualities that can attract respect.”
A third user wrote,
It’s hilarious that our taxable income funded everything NASA related but we can’t get real-time transparency for subjects of intrigue. Government sucks!”
Yet another user remarked,
Given 3I/ATLAS’s 12 anomalies defying comet models, could it be a stellar visitor with a message? What bold initiatives will NASA, SpaceX, and ESA launch to decrypt it before it leaves on Dec 19?”
A fifth user commented
If it’s just a comet, why all the theatrics?”
Another user took a dig
Can’t wait for the photoshopped images.”
Uh huh… “comet” 😉 pic.twitter.com/KXs5QX9EbG
— Friday Night Arcade ® (@FNArcade) November 18, 2025
Here’s a picture of a rock in the space, according to the experts at NASA… pic.twitter.com/qIpt3miOQ3
— 🇺🇸 SeventySeven 🇺🇸 (@m7juarez) November 19, 2025
Here’s a rare hippopotamus, according to NASA… pic.twitter.com/nEy14zHmpK
— 🇺🇸 SeventySeven 🇺🇸 (@m7juarez) November 19, 2025
Yeah. We trust you now. pic.twitter.com/agyBS5MOa4
— InsaniQuarium! (@greenest_frog) November 19, 2025
Or is it …..
Thor ridin with his goats Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr….
— mista wa wa (@MisterBoBo11) November 19, 2025
A mere school student or a large space research org, humility and openness is the best quality that can attract respect 🫡 if nurtured
— Stay Positive (@StayPositive554) November 19, 2025
Its hilarious that our taxable income funded everything NASA related but we can’t get real time transparency for subjects of intrigue. Government sucks!
— Jake (@Liberty4Life23) November 19, 2025
#AskNASA Given 3I/ATLAS’s 12 anomalies defying comet models, could it be a stellar visitor with a message? What bold initiatives will NASA, SpaceX, and ESA launch to decrypt it before it leaves on Dec 19? @NASA @SpaceX @ESA #3IATLAS
— corive (@humain222) November 19, 2025
If it’s just a comet why all the theatrics?
— bruce s (@bruceskelhorne) November 18, 2025
pic.twitter.com/ZdRHNxNgyK
— Paul. Yma o Hyd 🏴 (@unwizemonkey) November 19, 2025
Can’t wait for the photoshopped images.
— 𓁞 𝕄 𝕒 𝕛 𝕚 𓁟 (@zacharytconway) November 18, 2025