The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has been observed to be periodically brightening and dimming, a phenomenon that has sparked speculation about its origin. Dr.
Avi Loeb, a Harvard astrophysicist, suggested that the regular pattern, occurring approximately every 16 hours, could potentially indicate deliberate maneuvering by an alien intelligence, likening it to a "heartbeat." However, Dr. Matthew Genge, a specialist in cosmic dust at Imperial College London, downplayed these theories, stating that such periodic brightening is not unusual for comets and is likely caused by a volatile patch of ice on its surface.
This patch, when exposed to sunlight as the comet rotates, releases gas and dust, creating observable jets. Dr.
Genge emphasized that the comet is behaving like a typical comet and that the media attention is excessive. Interstellar comets are of great scientific interest as they offer insights into planetary systems beyond our own.
While initially thought to be rare, the discovery of 3I/ATLAS and two others since 2017 suggests they are more common than previously believed. The comet is expected to remain active for at least another four months before becoming less observable as it moves further from the Sun.
It will pass closest to Earth on December 19 at a distance of approximately 170 million miles, and is not expected to be captured by Jupiter's gravity, but rather to continue its trajectory out of the solar system.