Japanese space agency releases possible image of 3I/ATLAS based on imagery data. Photo credits: NYCryptoKing on X
A viral image circulating online claims that 3I/ATLAS, the interstellar comet discovered in July 2025, was captured and publicly released by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The image is said to have been obtained using advanced spectral data and high‑resolution imaging, and the post describes it as “the most realistic depiction of the rare comet so far.”
However, no formal confirmation has been issued by JAXA or any Japanese government space body. The claim has reignited global interest in the comet, its unusual origin and composition, and raised fresh questions about the protocols of space‑agency data release.
What We Know About 3I/ATLAS
Rare interstellar visitor under observation
3I/ATLAS, officially designated C/2025 N1, is only the third known interstellar object to visit our solar system, following 2I/Borisov and 1I/ʻOumuamua. Discovered by the ATLAS sky survey on July 1, the object travelled at speeds exceeding 130,000 mph as it approached the Sun and then made its perihelion on October 30. The Hubble Space Telescope captured a visible‑light image of 3I/ATLAS on July 21, showing a teardrop‑shaped dust cocoon surrounding the nucleus.
Recent Observations and Scientific Findings
New behaviour and observations in latest week
Recent telescope data have added intriguing details. A new image shows the comet ejecting a pronounced green light gas and dust jet directed towards the Sun, a behaviour noted in typical comets but striking given 3I/ATLAS’s interstellar origin. Meanwhile, astronomers report unusual chemical signatures: high nickel vapor emissions and a possibly green‑tinged coma, potentially indicating unexpected surface or material processes. The comet emerged from behind the Sun in early November and is now visible to amateur and professional observers in the pre‑dawn sky, though its faint magnitude means a telescope is required. The combination of its interstellar trajectory, chemical anomalies, and visible jet is leading some researchers to reconsider assumptions about how such objects behave when entering our solar system.
The JAXA Image Claim: Verification and Implications
Scrutiny, uncertainty and public reaction
The image attributed to JAXA has been widely shared across social media and space‑enthusiast channels, but professionals caution that there is no official release from JAXA verifying the content. Several rumours have also suggested that China’s Mars orbiter captured compelling imagery of the comet as it passed near Mars in October, which has been more credibly reported. The absence of formal acknowledgement leaves open possibilities: the image might stem from processed public‑dataset composites, mis‑labelled data, or even hoaxes. Space agencies typically issue official release notes if a mission captures such a high-profile target, but none has been forthcoming.
Science, public interest and international collaboration
3I/ATLAS offers a rare opportunity to study material formed outside our solar system, potentially billions of years old. Its unusual chemistry, for instance, an exceptional ratio of CO₂ to H₂O in its coma, suggests it formed in a different stellar environment. Unravelling its composition and trajectory could enhance our understanding of cosmic formation processes and bring insights into planetary systems beyond our own.
Key Points:
- 3I/ATLAS is the third known interstellar object to pass through the solar system.
- Recent observations show unusual chemical signatures, a visible gas jet, and nickel emissions.
- The JAXA image circulating online remains unverified, with no official release to date.
- China’s Mars orbiter and other telescopes have provided verified imagery.
- The object is visible to amateur astronomers in the pre-dawn sky with a telescope.
Scientists continue to track 3I/ATLAS as it departs the inner solar system. Coordinated campaigns using ground‑based telescopes, space probe data and citizen astronomer networks are underway. The key priority is public, peer-reviewed data release from agencies rather than viral image-sharing without context. Should JAXA issue an official statement or image release, it would warrant careful analysis and peer validation. Until then, the image remains unverified, though the scientific community remains captivated by the comet’s evolving story.
