WATCH: Did 3I/ATLAS Send A Message To Earth? Viral Video Decoded

A viral post on social media has led many to believe that the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has sent a message to Earth and that a response was inadvertently generated. The claim originated from a tweet asserting that astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope detected an ‘organized signal’ from 3I/ATLAS, which did not align with known natural sources. The tweet suggested this signal persisted for hours, indicating possible intelligent origin.

Additionally, it was claimed that Earth-based instrumentation automatically replied to the comet’s signal. Public interest surged as users speculated about the implications of possible extraterrestrial communication. The post also referenced assertions by well-known tech figures, including Elon Musk, about the potential risks involved in making contact with extraterrestrial beings.

However, experts have debunked these claims. No credible evidence supports the notion that 3I/ATLAS communicated with Earth. Observations indicated that the comet is a natural object composed predominantly of carbon dioxide and water ice, and recent radio observations ruled out the possibility of an alien signal, instead identifying natural radio emissions associated with cometary outgassing.

The South African radio telescope MeerKAT confirmed these findings, detecting natural emissions rather than artificial signals. According to scientists, this reinforces the classification of 3I/ATLAS as a natural comet, negating the sensational claims circulating on social media.