Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS Emits Unique Metal Alloy, Harvard Expert Says

An interstellar object known as 3I/ATLAS is producing a metal alloy never before observed in nature, according to Harvard astrophysicist Dr. Avi Loeb. Recent images taken by the Keck II telescope in Hawaii revealed that the object is emitting a plume containing four grams of nickel per second, with no detectable iron, which is unusual for comets. This unique composition results in an alloy called nickel tetracarbonyl, previously only seen in industrial applications.

Dr. Loeb, who is a professor of theoretical physics at Harvard University and director at the Center for Astrophysics, emphasized the significance of this discovery. He stated, “There is only one place where that is known to exist and that is in industrially produced nickel alloys. This was never observed for any other object.” The nickel tetracarbonyl observed in 3I/ATLAS is primarily used in metal coatings, particularly in the aerospace industry, to enhance surface materials.

Another intriguing aspect of 3I/ATLAS is its lack of a typical cometary tail. Dr. Loeb noted, “We usually see beautiful tails extending from the object away from the Sun, and in this case there was no evidence for such a tail.” Instead, images from the Hubble Space Telescope indicated a stream of materials weighing approximately 330 pounds per second, directed toward the Sun. This stream consists mainly of carbon dioxide and water, along with trace amounts of cyanide and nickel, but notably lacks iron.

Anticipation Builds for Additional Observations

Skywatchers worldwide are eagerly awaiting further images captured by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s HiRISE camera, taken between October 4 and October 7, 2025. However, these images have not yet been released due to a government shutdown affecting NASA’s communications department. Dr. Loeb expressed frustration over this delay, stating, “Who cares about the communication departments? We want to see the data from the scientists.” The upcoming images are anticipated to be the closest and clearest views of 3I/ATLAS as it traverses through the inner Solar System.

The observations of 3I/ATLAS are particularly important for scientists studying celestial bodies beyond our solar system. As researchers analyze this interstellar object, they hope to gain insights into the processes that shape such bodies and their potential to harbor the building blocks of life.

Overall, the findings related to 3I/ATLAS challenge existing notions about cometary behavior and composition. They open new avenues for exploration and understanding of interstellar materials, marking a significant moment in the field of astrophysics.