Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS is seen for the first time since it disappeared behind the sun – and it's even BRIGHTER than when it went in

• READ MORE: Interstellar visitor proves Einstein's theory

By WILIAM HUNTER, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY REPORTER

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has been spotted for the first time since it disappeared behind the sun.

Using the Lowell Observatory's powerful Discovery Telescope, astronomer Dr Qicheng Zhang managed to snap the mysterious object as it sped back into Earth's line of sight.

The optical observations show that 3I/ATLAS is now even brighter than when it went in.

Scientists have been carefully watching 3I/ATLAS since it was first detected by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope on July 1.

In early October, the comet vanished from Earth's view as it approached its closest point to the sun, known as perihelion.

As it approached a distance of 130 million miles (210 million kilometres), the sun started to evaporate the outer layers of ice into a cloud of glowing gas.

According to Dr Zhang, the comet is now bright enough for even amateur telescopes to pick up.

'Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is now rising early enough in morning twilight to be seen even with small telescopes under imperfect conditions,' he explained in his blog.  

Scientists have spotted the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS for the first time since it disappeared behind the sun in early October 

3I/ATLAS is the third time that scientists have managed to detect an object travelling from another solar system. It is moving on an unusually flat and straight path at speeds over 130,000 miles per hour (210,000 km/h)

3I/ATLAS is travelling through our solar system on an unusually flat and straight path at speeds over 130,000 miles per hour (210,000 km/h).

Although it will not stay in the solar system for long, its trajectory has been bent around the sun's gravitational pull.

Professor Mark Burchell, an astronomer from the University of Kent, told Daily Mail: 'A swing round the sun is perfectly normal behaviour for a comet.

'The term swing is a slight exaggeration; it is attracted by the sun's great mass, and its orbit gets deflected a bit, but it is not a tight sling shot effect, more a slow change of course.'

Having passed perihelion on Halloween, October 31, 3I/ATLAS is now just starting to be visible to Earth-based telescopes.

Dr Zhang was able to spot the comet with both the Discovery Telescope and his personal commercial telescope.

He told Live Science: 'All you need is a clear sky and a very low eastern horizon.

'It won't look very impressive, it's just a smudge, but it will be an increasingly visible smudge over the next few days.'

Having passed its closest point to the sun, 3I/ATLAS is now so bright that it can be seen with standard amateur telescopes in the northern hemisphere 

Over the coming weeks, the comet will be visible higher in the sky, which will allow larger observatories to start capturing images.

Although 3I/ATLAS wasn't visible from Earth as it passed around the sun, it has not been totally hidden.

Scientists have been using space telescopes such as those orbiting Mars or NASA's Psyche mission to watch the comet as it passed behind the sun.

These observations have revealed that 3I/ATLAS has undergone a major transformation while it was hiding out of view.

Dr Zhang found that the interstellar object underwent a rapid brightening ahead of reaching perihelion and also took on a distinctively blue hue.

Their study found that the comet was brightening at twice the normal rate, which suggests some big changes were taking place on the surface.

Dr Matthew Genge, an expert on comets and meteors from Imperial College London, told Daily Mail: 'Comets usually produce more gas as they approach the sun and become brighter. Their surface heats up, and more and more ice is turned to gas. It's like turning the kettle on.'

The fact that this comet turned blue also hints that gases, rather than just dust, are responsible for a large part of the brightening.

As it approached the sun, the heat caused outer layers of ice and dust to evaporate. This has produced the glowing cloud which surrounds 3I/ATLAS 

As the comet moves away from the sun and into Earth's view, astronomers will be able to watch these ongoing transformations to learn more about our interstellar visitor.

Dr Genge says: 'As it moves away from the sun, its gas tail will point directly away from the Sun, ahead of the comet, since it is swept by the solar wind. In contrast, its tail of dust will trail behind the comet.'

By studying the gases it leaves behind, scientists hope to learn more about the solar system 3I/ATLAS came from and how it differs from comets from our own neighbourhood.

For instance, scientists have already found that the comet's surface has been transformed by billions of years of exposure to harsh gamma radiation while travelling through space.

This has given 3I/ATLAS a thick, irradiated crust that has been responsible for the unusual amounts of CO2 released by the comet.

Professor Marina Galand, a planetary scientist from Imperial College London, told Daily Mail: 'After perihelion, a deeper layer below the surface will have been revealed.

'It will be interesting to see how the composition of the gas changes as the comet gets further away from the Sun, compared with when it approached it.'

However, despite rampant speculation, one thing scientists are absolutely sure about is that 3I/ATLAS is definitely a comet.

As it leaves the sun, scientists will be able to study how the comet has changed over time. If it got hot enough, pristine layers of ice from another solar system might be revealed. This would offer valuable clues about how stars form

Dr Mark Norris, an astronomer at the University of Lancashire, told Daily Mail: 'In terms of why we think it is a comet, it is because it looks and acts exactly like a comet.

'It is just happening faster because this comet is moving so much faster than solar system comets, which remain gravitationally bound to the Sun.'

There are still a lot of questions to answer about this object, but that is mainly because it is only the third interstellar object humanity has ever discovered.

Dr Genge adds: 'Aliens would be literally barmy to hollow out a comet for a spacecraft.'

Read More

EXCLUSIVE

•  Scientists reveal all the strange behaviors of interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS 

The enormous mass would make changing direction nearly impossible, and the layers of ice would add major complications.

Although the ice would offer protection from radiation, CO2 needs temperatures lower than -56°C (-68.8°F) to stay frozen.

'Flip on a heater, oven, or engine, and the heat would make lots of gas,' says Dr Genge.

'If you wanted to go unnoticed, then painting your ship black seems a sensible solution for anyone clever enough to be able to travel between stars.'

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The biggest supermoon of the YEAR will light up the skies this week – as our lunar satellite appears 8% larger and 16% brighter than usual

• READ MORE:  The key pieces of evidence that prove the moon landing was real

By XANTHA LEATHAM, EXECUTIVE SCIENCE EDITOR

If you're a fan of skygazing, make sure you block off Wednesday evening in your diary.

The biggest supermoon of the year is set to light up the skies, appearing eight per cent larger and 16 per cent brighter than usual.

The phenomenon occurs because the moon's orbit is not perfectly circular around Earth, meaning at times it is slightly closer or slightly further away.

At its closest, it is called a lunar perigee – and when it occurs close to a full moon, it can be a spectacular sight.

'As long as there aren't too many clouds, the full moon will be an unmistakable white orb in the sky,' Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) said.

'This is a good opportunity to use a small telescope or a pair of binoculars to see the moon's detailed surface, or even try taking a few interesting moon photos.

'However, you can see the moon perfectly well with just your eyes.'

Looking for the lunar satellite just after sunset or just before sunrise will be an impressive sight, as it will appear enormous compared to the surrounding landscape.

A supermoon rising above London in October last year. These occur when the moon's orbit is closer to Earth

Last year's beaver supermoon rising above the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in New York City

Pictured: A passenger plane flying in front of a supermoon rising above the San Francisco Bay in California in 2024

On Wednesday, the moon will be just under 221,818 miles (357,000km) from Earth, compared to an average distance of 238,855 miles (384,400km).

This will make it the nearest full moon of the year and therefore the largest supermoon – coinciding with Bonfire Night.

The first full moon of November is informally called a Beaver moon, as part of a tradition dating back centuries.

It is thought the term may have been used in a range of cultures from certain Native American tribes to early European settlers, and depicts the time of year that beavers become particularly active as they build dams and stock up on food.

Along with looking spectacular, supermoons also have an effect on the Earth's tides.

'The tides are caused by the gravitational forces of the sun and the moon on the Earth's oceans,' the RMG said.

'When the Moon is closer to the Earth during a supermoon, the gravitational pull is slightly stronger, and so the tides are bigger.

'However this effect is almost negligible, with only a couple of inches difference between a normal full moon and supermoon tide.'

On Wednesday, the moon will be just under 357,000km (221,818 miles) from Earth, compared to an average distance of 384,400km (238,855 miles). Pictured: A beaver supermoon setting over Jerusalem last year

This photo taken on November 16, 2024 shows the full moon over the sky in the Longsha Park of Qiqihar, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province

Beaver full moon gets its name from Native American and colonial traditions, as beavers are most active this time of year, fortifying their lodges and building dams in anticipation of the cold months ahead

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While this isn't the final supermoon of the year – there will be one again on December 4 – it's thought the moon won't appear this large and bright again until November 24, 2026.

It should be easy enough to take a decent photo of the moon using your phone, but it's best to place it on a steady surface to prevent blurring.

Those with a single lens reflex (SLR) camera can take good images if they use a 250mm telephoto lens.

To get the best detail, you need a telephoto lens of at least 500 to 600mm and ideally a long focal length telescope.

Experts recommend using shutter speeds of 1/30th of a second, with a low ISO setting to reduce noise.

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Archaeologists believe they have found the site where Jesus cast demons into a herd of pigs near the Sea of Galilee. 

Dr Scott Stripling, director of excavations for the Associates for Biblical Research (ABR), told Digging for the Truth that a mix of textual clues, geography and submerged ruins led him to the town of Kursi in Israel.

According to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus arrived by boat across the Sea of Galilee from west to east, where he encountered a man possessed by a 'Legion' of demons. 

The spirits begged to be sent into a herd of pigs, which then charged down a steep slope into the sea and drowned, matching the geographical clues near the newly uncovered site.

'All three gospels say there was a cliff nearby,' Stripling said. 'All three say there were tombs nearby. 

'And they tell us that Jesus was coming in on a boat from the west side to the east side.'

The breakthrough came from a Roman-era harbor, partially submerged beneath the lake. 

Guided by a massive ancient fish tank, used centuries ago to keep freshly caught fish alive, Stripling and his team located the harbor where Jesus may have landed before performing the exorcism. 

Dr Scott Stripling, director of excavations for the Associates for Biblical Research (ABR), told Digging for the Truth that a mix of textual clues, geography, and submerged ruins led him to the town of Kursi

Stripling used information from a 1985 excavation that documented dozens of ancient harbors along the Sea of Galilee, including Kursi, which featured massive stone jetties and a large adjacent fish tank.

The harbor vanished again as water levels rose, forgotten by most.

Stripling used information from a 1985 excavation that documented dozens of ancient harbors along the Sea of Galilee, including Kursi, which featured massive stone jetties and a large adjacent fish tank.

Armed with the old excavation reports and photographs, Stripling returned in 2023 with a film crew. 

Navigating by GPS and landmarks, including the mouth of Wadi Semak and the unmistakable fish tank, they donned scuba gear and dove into crystal-clear water. 

The underwater exploration revealed massive stone jetties and carefully arranged blocks forming a classic harbor.

'We felt the stones before we saw them,' Stripling said. 'Massive, dressed blocks forming twin piers, classic harbor construction.' 

Confirming the harbor’s location was key to understanding where the biblical event could have taken place.

According to the Bible, Jesus cast a demons from a man into a heard of 2,000 pigs that threw themselves into the Sea of Galilee and drowned 

The journey described in scripture, Jesus leaving Capernaum and crossing to the east side of the lake, corresponds geographically to Kursi. 

Nearby tombs dot a hillside where the pigs grazed, and a steep cliff less than 164 feet from the water would have allowed the herd to rush into the Sea of Galilee, recreating the dramatic scene recorded in the Gospels.

'From the harbor, every biblical detail aligns within a 656-foot radius,' Stripling said. 

Crowning the hill above Kursi, a Byzantine chapel known as the 'Chapel of the Miracle' preserves a mosaic floor that some scholars interpret as depicting pigs.

Pilgrims have venerated the site for over 1,500 years. 'This isn't just tradition,' Stripling noted. 

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•  Mysterious 'Jesus boat' found in Sea of Galilee linked to walking on water miracle 

'The Byzantines built where memory and geography intersected. They likely followed Origen's research.'

Kursi sits in the Decapolis, a league of ten Greco-Roman cities. The pigs were likely raised under contract for Roman troops; the 10th Legion, stationed nearby, used the boar as its emblem. 

'When the demons say 'Legion,' it's no coincidence,' Stripling said. 'This was a Gentile man, possibly a failed recruit or laborer, tormented by forces mirroring Roman oppression. The pigs weren't just livestock, they were military supply.'

'After the miracle, the healed man begs to follow Jesus but is sent home to proclaim what God had done. 

'A year later, when Jesus returns (Mark 6), a multitude greets him, suggesting the man's testimony sparked a revival.'

'His obedience changed a region,' Stripling reflected, standing in the ancient harbor. 'We're not just finding stones. We're standing where despair met deliverance.'

 While no inscription proclaims 'Jesus was here,' the convergence of harbor, cliff, tombs, and early Christian commemoration forms what Stripling calls a 'criterial screen' that no other site passes. 

While no inscription proclaims 'Jesus was here,' the convergence of harbor, cliff, tombs, and early Christian commemoration forms what Stripling calls a 'criterial screen' that no other site passes. 

For now, the harbor remains underwater, visible only when lake levels drop or to divers with permits. But its rediscovery anchors a floating miracle to solid ground and submerged stone.

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Interstellar visitor proves Einstein's theory before making an unexplained shift in its path

• MORE: Interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS pulls away from sun in shocking move that baffles scientists

By CHRIS MELORE, US ASSISTANT SCIENCE EDITOR

The interstellar object that continues to baffle scientists has just confirmed one of Albert Einstein's theories, more than a century after it was proposed.

Scans of 3I/ATLAS as it reached its closest point to the sun have found that our home star's gravity bent the light coming from the mysterious object, just as Einstein predicted in 1915 in his theory of general relativity.

This effect, known as gravitational lensing, was caused by a slight shift in the object's apparent position in the sky, which scientists had predicted last month would be approximately 0.27 arcseconds —a remarkably small displacement that can only be observed with powerful telescopes.

However, 3I/ATLAS showed even more of a shift than scientists could have imagined, straying four arcseconds from its expected path past the sun.

One arcsecond is equal to 1/3600 of a degree, or like viewing a dime from 2.5 miles away.

While the mystery object, which many scientists have dismissed as a comet, may have proven Einstein's theory about gravity bending light, its new unexplained location in the sky adds to the possibility that 3I/ATLAS is no ordinary space rock.

Harvard physicist Avi Loeb revealed that the supposed comet would have needed to release a huge amount of its mass in the form of a powerful gas jet to push 3I/ATLAS to its current location in our solar system.

If it's really a comet, this would have left behind a massive cloud of gas and dust, but if it didn't, then the claims of 3I/ATLAS being an artificial spacecraft will be one step closer to being proven true.

Scientists have proven Albert Einstein's theory of gravitational lensing after spotting movement by 3I/ATLAS (Pictured) near the sun

The interstellar object has given scientists no less than nine different clue that it may not be a natural comet

Loeb explained that for scientists to be right about 3I/ATLAS being a comet, the sun would have needed to melt away roughly 15 percent of the object's mass.

That's about five billion tons worth of gas pouring out of 3I/ATLAS as it reached perihelion, its closest point to the sun, on October 29.

The cloud of dust this outpouring would have created would be visible by telescopes as the object nears its closest point to Earth on December 19.

However, if there is no giant dust cloud for astronomers to see, Loeb called it the tenth clue that 3I/ATLAS was constructed by extraterrestrials and sent to this solar system for an unknown purpose.

The latest hint that there was something unusual about the interstellar visitor came as the object reached its perihelion with the sun and suddenly pulled away and changed color.

'Observations of 3I/ATLAS close to perihelion by the solar observatories STEREO, SOHO and GOES-19, revealed unprecedented brightening and a color bluer than the sun,' Loeb wrote in a paper released Sunday.

This discovery was incredibly strange because comets turn red as their cold surfaces absorb blue light and bounce back mostly red light, just like a cold piece of metal glows red when you start heating it.

Meanwhile, this 'non-gravitational acceleration' 3I/ATLAS experienced could not be explained by gravity, so something else appeared to be speeding it up and nudging it off its expected path, which could be a sign the object has its own engine.

3I/ATLAS (Pictured) made its closest approach to the sun on October 29, as seen by NASA spacecraft

The supposed comet has become the first interstellar object added to the list of threats tracked by the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN)

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•  Mysterious interstellar object may be the source of unexplained signal beamed at Earth 48 years ago 

Loeb also broke down the odds of the other strange clues surrounding the interstellar visitor, including its almost perfectly flat course, which takes it within close range of three different planets in our solar system.

The professor explained that the chance of a natural object traveling along the same plane in space as the Earth and its neighboring planets was only 0.2 percent.

Meanwhile, there was only a 1-in-20,000 chance of a natural comet making close fly-bys over Mars, Venus, and Jupiter, pointing to the possibility that this path has been guided by an unknown intelligence.

Scans of 3I/ATLAS have also revealed far more nickel and much less iron than astronomers have found in all other comets before this one.

The object's nickel coating is similar to how humans use the metal as a protective layer against the extreme heat of rocket engines on Earth spacecraft.

3I/ATLAS was also seen projecting an unusual 'anti-tail' which pointed at the sun instead of trailing behind the object like a normal comet.

As scientists wait to see if the alleged comet really lost a giant portion of its mass last week, Loeb noted that 3I/ATLAS was unexplainably larger and moving faster than previous interstellar objects detected by humans.

At 33 billion tons, it's a million times larger than the mysterious Oumuamua, which passed through the solar system in 2017, and about a thousand times bigger than the comet Borisov, which passed Earth two years later.

The odds of a natural space rock from a distant solar system being that large and moving at its current speed of 151,800mph were estimated at 1-in-1,000.

Loeb also noted that 3I/ATLAS only appears to contain four percent water, unlike normal comets, which mostly consist of water ice.

It's also reflecting light in a strange way that made it get much brighter as it neared the sun, and did so approximately 7.5 times faster than normal comets.

Finally, the suspected comet has also come from the same direction as the famous 'Wow! Signal' of 1977, a still unexplained radio signal which scientists have theorized could be an alien transmission.

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Mysterious drones spotted over military base storing US nuclear weapons

• READ MORE:  New Jersey UFO mystery solved! Top secret military firm confesses to sparking drone hysteria that left America on edge

BySTACY LIBERATORE, US SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR

Mysterious drones were spotted near Belgium's Kleine Brogel air base, where US nuclear weapons are stored, prompting fears of a potential espionage operation.

Belgium's Defense Minister Theo Francken confirmed that drones entered the base's airspace in two waves on Saturday and Sunday night. 

The first involved smaller drones, reportedly testing the base's radio frequencies, followed by larger drones intended 'to destabilize the area and people,' Francken said.

'It resembles a spy operation. By whom, I don't know,' he told public broadcaster RTBF. 

The defense minister added that the drones appeared to target sensitive locations, including F-16s and munitions, and that the incidents were under investigation.

'It's not a drone that just happened to cross the military base. It was there for a long time, so it was definitely for spying,' Francken said.

The US stores an estimated 10 to 20 B61 nuclear bombs at the Kleine Brogel Air Base, which plays a key role in NATO's nuclear deterrence strategy in Europe and hosts F-16 fighter jets, according to the base's website. 

The site notes that these jets are scheduled to be replaced in the coming years by the F-35A, the US Air Force's newest fifth-generation fighter. 

The US stores an estimated 10 to 20 B61 nuclear bombs at the Kleine Brogel Air Base 

Belgium's Defense Minister Theo Francken confirmed that drones entered the base's airspace in two waves on Saturday and Sunday night. The first involved smaller drones

(STOCK)

'This was not a simple flyover, but a clear attack targeting Kleine Brogel,' Francken said. 'It is not clear who is responsible for the drone sightings.'

The US maintains an estimated 200 tactical nuclear weapons, with roughly half positioned in Europe. Around 100 of these are thought to be deployed across five NATO member countries, including Belgium, Germany and Turkey.

Unlike strategic nuclear arms, tactical weapons are intended for use in battlefield scenarios or within a limited geographic region.

Kleine-Brogel air base took part in NATO’s most recent annual nuclear exercise, Steadfast Noon, held last month.

The drone sightings come amid ongoing concerns over airspace security across Europe.

In recent months, the continent has seen tense encounters between fighter jets, unexplained sightings of large drones, and deliberate acts of disruption that have affected major airports.

In September, drones were reported over several military installations in Denmark, and flights at Spain’s Gran Canaria airport were rerouted following similar drone activity.

Just last month, drones appeared over Germany, sparking fury from the country's chancellor, who accused Russia of waging a 'hybrid war.'

The US maintains an estimated 200 tactical nuclear weapons, with roughly half positioned in Europe. Around 100 of these are thought to be deployed across five NATO member countries, including Belgium, Germany, and Turkey

NATO forces shot down a mystery drone near a base used by US troops in Estonia, less than 30 miles from the Russian border last month

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz blamed President Vladimir Putin for the incursion of reconnaissance drones that disrupted Munich Airport and left more than 10,000 passengers stranded.

Flights were canceled during German Unity Day, and as Munich prepared for the final weekend of Oktoberfest, which draws over six million visitors annually.

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'He is waging an information war against us. He is waging a military war against Ukraine, and this war is directed against all of us,' Merz told broadcaster NTV. 

NATO forces shot down a mystery drone near a base used by US troops in Estonia, less than 30 miles from the Russian border, last week.

Two drones were spotted near Camp Reedo, home to the US Army's 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, on October 17.

One was blasted out of the sky with an anti-drone rifle, while the second escaped.

Liis Vaksmann, a spokesperson for the Estonian Defence Forces, said: 'Allies detected drones flying in the immediate vicinity of the 2nd Infantry Brigade's military base at 16:30 on 17 October, one of which was brought down with an anti-drone rifle.'

Military and police teams searched for the wreckage but were unable to locate it.

Estonia, viewed as one of NATO's most vulnerable members, hosts both US and British troops as part of the alliance's deterrence force. 

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said NATO must be ready to intercept and shoot down any aircraft violating allied airspace.

'The message must be unequivocal - future violations will meet a response, including, if necessary, the interception and downing of intruding aircraft,' he said.

'This is not only about defending Estonia's borders - it's about defending NATO's borders.'

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Astronomers detected strange radio signals from a distant comet—and they’re not sure what’s causing them.
Astronomers studying a recently observed comet have detected unexpected radio emissions that don’t match typical cosmic patterns. The signals, recorded using specialized radio telescopes, appear to pulse in ways scientists can’t yet explain. Early data suggest the comet’s icy surface or magnetic interactions with solar radiation may be responsible, but researchers say more study is needed. The discovery has sparked excitement across the astronomy community, offering a rare glimpse into the hidden physics of comet activity.

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1. Astronomers Detect Strange Radio Signals From a Comet
A team of scientists recently detected unusual radio emissions coming from a comet passing through the inner solar system. Using radio telescopes, researchers picked up signals that varied in strength and rhythm—an uncommon phenomenon for these icy celestial bodies.

While comets have been known to emit some radio waves through interactions with solar radiation, this particular pattern was unexpected. The finding has drawn interest from planetary scientists seeking to better understand what drives a comet’s electromagnetic behavior.

©Image license via Canva

2. The Comet Appears to Emit Rhythmic Radio Pulses
The newly detected signals show a repeating pattern, similar to faint pulses. These rhythmic variations suggest that the emissions are tied to the comet’s rotation or its interaction with charged particles from the solar wind.

Astronomers believe the signals may arise as ionized gases escape from the comet’s surface, creating temporary magnetic disturbances. The pattern could reveal new insights into how comets evolve as they approach the Sun and release gas and dust.

©Image license via Wikimedia Commons

3. Scientists Used Sensitive Radio Telescopes to Capture the Signals
Researchers recorded the signals using ground-based radio observatories capable of detecting extremely weak emissions. By isolating specific frequencies, they confirmed the source of the radio waves was the comet itself, not background interference from other cosmic sources.

These precise measurements allow scientists to map the energy output of comets and compare them to previous missions, such as ESA’s Rosetta probe, which recorded similar emissions from Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko in 2014.

©Image license via Canva

4. Comets Can Produce Natural Radio Emissions
Although unusual, radio signals from comets are not entirely unheard of. As solar radiation interacts with a comet’s gas and dust, it can generate electromagnetic waves that radiate across space. These signals often reveal the composition and temperature of the comet’s atmosphere.

The latest detection fits within this broader scientific context, but its intensity and structure stand out as unique. Researchers are now analyzing whether this comet’s activity differs from previously studied examples.

©Image license via Canva

5. The Signals Likely Come From Charged Particles
One leading theory is that the emissions result from charged dust and gas interacting with magnetic fields in the solar wind. As these particles collide and scatter, they produce fluctuations detectable as radio waves.

Understanding this process helps scientists study how comets behave when they enter the Sun’s energetic environment. It may also offer clues about how magnetic and plasma interactions shape other small bodies in the solar system.

©Image license via Canva

6. No Evidence Suggests the Signals Are Artificial
Despite the term “radio signals” sometimes sparking speculation about extraterrestrial sources, astronomers emphasize that the emissions are entirely natural. The frequency and strength of the waves match physical processes already observed in comets and other solar system objects.

The discovery underscores how many natural cosmic phenomena can mimic structured signals. For scientists, these observations are valuable tools for studying how simple physics—not intelligence—produces complex patterns in space.

©Image license via Wikimedia Commons/ESTCube/Mario F. Palos

7. Solar Wind May Play a Central Role
The comet’s journey through streams of charged solar particles may be amplifying the observed radio waves. As the solar wind interacts with the comet’s tail, it can generate magnetic turbulence that radiates across multiple wavelengths.

Researchers are now modeling how these interactions change as the comet gets closer to or farther from the Sun. This data could help predict when and where such radio emissions might occur again.

©Image license via Wikimedia Commons/International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/T. Slovinský

8. The Discovery Builds on Earlier Comet Research
The European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission previously detected “singing” radio emissions from a comet in 2014, caused by plasma oscillations around its nucleus. The new finding appears to be part of the same family of phenomena but with distinctive frequency variations.

By comparing data from both events, scientists hope to refine models of how comets release and ionize gases. The new signals could represent a different stage of activity or a previously unseen composition of material.

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9. The Signals Could Reveal Clues About the Early Solar System
Because comets are relics from the solar system’s formation 4.6 billion years ago, studying their electromagnetic activity helps scientists understand ancient materials and magnetic conditions. Each emission pattern reveals how solar radiation interacts with primordial ice and dust.

This information can help reconstruct the chemical and physical environment that existed when planets, asteroids, and comets were first forming—turning a curious signal into a valuable window into the past.

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10. Scientists Plan Follow-Up Observations to Confirm the Findings
The research team is now coordinating follow-up studies using additional observatories to verify the discovery and gather higher-resolution data. Continuous monitoring will help determine whether the emissions are consistent or change over time.

If confirmed, this would be one of the most detailed radio observations of a comet in decades. Scientists say the event highlights how even familiar solar system objects can surprise us—and how much remains to learn about their hidden activity.

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{ Planet Sage }

Story by Barrie Davenport

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An examination of what we do know about alleged alien spacecraft—and where the mysteries remain.
Allegations that alien spacecraft have been discovered and hidden by governments continue to generate headlines, but verified evidence remains elusive. Analysts note that while several incidents—such as declassified U.S. Department of Defense reports on unidentified aerial phenomena—have sparked interest, none have confirmed the recovery of extraterrestrial vehicles. Most claims lack verifiable data or peer-reviewed publication. Nonetheless, a handful of images, radar logs and whistle-blower testimonies are keeping the debate alive, urging scientists and officials to scrutinize fact from fiction.

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1. Claims of Hidden Alien Craft Have Circulated for Decades
Rumors that governments have secretly recovered alien spacecraft date back to the late 1940s, shortly after the Roswell incident in New Mexico. Although that event was later attributed to a classified balloon project, it cemented the idea that officials might be concealing evidence of extraterrestrial technology.

Since then, stories of secret “crash retrieval programs” and hidden laboratories have resurfaced regularly in popular culture and online communities. Despite the intrigue, no credible documentation or physical proof of alien spacecraft has ever been made public.

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2. The U.S. Has Studied Unexplained Aerial Phenomena
In recent years, the U.S. government has confirmed that it investigates unidentified aerial phenomena—commonly known as UAPs. These efforts began with the Navy’s Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) and continued through the Department of Defense’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, or AARO.

Officials say the goal is to study unknown objects in the sky that might pose flight or security risks, not to confirm alien visits. So far, all publicly released analyses attribute most sightings to balloons, drones, optical illusions, or ordinary aircraft.

©Image license via Canva

3. Declassified Videos Renewed Public Interest
In 2020, the Pentagon officially released three videos showing unidentified objects captured by Navy pilots in 2004 and 2015. The footage, which showed small shapes moving quickly against the sky, fueled speculation about advanced technology.

While the Navy confirmed the videos were authentic, officials emphasized that “unidentified” does not mean “extraterrestrial.” The clips illustrate how difficult it can be to identify distant objects captured by infrared sensors or cameras under high-speed conditions.

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4. Recent Whistleblower Claims Sparked New Debate
In 2023, former intelligence official David Grusch claimed that the U.S. government possesses “non-human” spacecraft materials and has kept them secret for decades. His statements drew widespread attention and congressional interest but were not accompanied by any physical or verifiable evidence.

Multiple agencies and independent experts have since stated that they have seen no proof to support Grusch’s claims. While his testimony fueled renewed calls for transparency, no documentation or recovered materials have been publicly confirmed or examined.

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5. Congress Has Pressed for Greater Transparency
Lawmakers from both political parties have expressed interest in understanding how UAP data is collected and analyzed. Recent hearings have asked defense officials whether any evidence of non-human craft has been found.

The Pentagon and NASA have both stated that, to date, they have discovered no confirmed signs of extraterrestrial vehicles or technology. Congress has nonetheless urged continued reporting and analysis to improve transparency and prevent speculation from filling the information gap.

©Image license via Flickr/NASA Johnson

6. NASA Has Its Own Independent UAP Study
In 2022, NASA announced an independent study to examine publicly available data related to unexplained aerial phenomena. The team included physicists, former astronauts, and data scientists tasked with creating a scientific framework for studying future reports.

NASA’s 2023 summary concluded there was no verified evidence of alien craft but emphasized the need for better data collection. The agency said existing reports often lack critical details such as sensor calibration, environmental conditions, or corroborating radar information.

©Image license via Wikimedia Commons

7. Experts Say Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Proof
Astrophysicists and aerospace engineers consistently emphasize that claims of recovered alien craft must meet the same scientific standards as any other discovery—replication, peer review, and physical evidence. So far, none of the alleged materials or photographs meet that threshold.

Experts say the absence of verifiable samples makes it impossible to draw reliable conclusions. While skepticism doesn’t rule out the possibility of extraterrestrial life, scientists stress that proof must come through measurable, repeatable observation rather than testimony alone.

©Image license via Canva

8. Possible Origins of the “Crash Retrieval” Myth
Many historians trace modern UFO retrieval stories to Cold War secrecy. During that era, projects such as spy-plane development and nuclear testing were classified, leading the public to misinterpret mysterious lights or aircraft.

When government agencies refused to comment for security reasons, conspiracy theories often filled the void. Researchers studying UFO folklore note that secrecy around military operations made it easy for rumors of alien technology to gain traction and persist for generations.

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9. Some Materials Claimed to Be “Alien” Have Been Tested
Over the years, individuals have presented metallic fragments they claimed came from alien craft. Independent laboratories and academic institutions have analyzed some of these samples, finding that they contained common terrestrial alloys such as aluminum, magnesium, and silicon.

No tested material has ever shown properties inconsistent with known Earth-based manufacturing or chemistry. These findings reinforce the scientific position that, so far, no physical evidence of extraterrestrial construction has been verified.

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10. Astronomers Say Spacecraft Would Be Difficult to Hide
Astronomers point out that any interstellar object entering Earth’s atmosphere would be easily detected by global radar and satellite systems. Modern space surveillance networks can track objects only a few centimeters wide in orbit.

For an alien spacecraft to arrive and crash undetected would defy current understanding of physics and monitoring capabilities. Scientists add that extraordinary technology capable of crossing interstellar distances would likely not fail upon arrival—a key argument against hidden crash theories.

©Image license via Canva

11. Most “UFO Sightings” Have Conventional Explanations
Decades of research have shown that the majority of UFO sightings result from misidentified aircraft, atmospheric phenomena, or human-made satellites. The appearance of new technologies—such as Starlink satellite constellations—has increased the number of mistaken reports.

Studies by independent astronomy groups and the U.S. Air Force’s past Project Blue Book consistently found that 90 percent or more of sightings had ordinary explanations. While some cases remain unexplained due to limited data, “unexplained” does not mean “alien.”

©Image license via Picryl

12. Scientists Continue Searching for Extraterrestrial Life—But Elsewhere
The absence of verified alien spacecraft doesn’t mean scientists have given up the search for life beyond Earth. Programs like the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) monitor space for radio signals, while missions such as NASA’s Perseverance rover look for microbial fossils on Mars.

Astronomers have also identified thousands of exoplanets where life might exist. Experts say these research efforts—rather than rumors of secret recoveries—offer the most promising path toward answering humanity’s biggest question: whether we’re alone in the universe.

{ Planet Sage }

AI models refuse to shut themselves down when prompted — they might be developing a new 'survival drive,' study claims

Some analysts criticized the study, arguing that the apparent disobedience likely stemmed from poor training incentives and ambiguous instructions, rather than being seeds of an upcoming AI uprising. So the researchers issued an update on X, describing how they tweaked the shutdown instructions to make them "unambiguous."

{ https://www.livescience.com/technology }

Humanoid robots could lift 4,000 times their own weight thanks to breakthrough 'artificial muscle'

By Bobby Hellard 

Researchers have developed a chemical structure for an artificial muscle that can lift up to 4,000 times its weight, and they say it could be used in future humanoid robots.

(Image credit: Ociacia/Getty Images)

Researchers in South Korea have built an artificial muscle that can lift approximately 4,000 times its own weight. They say it can be used in future humanoid robots.

A key breakthrough with the muscle's design is its ability to be flexible or taut when needed, which is a first for this field of research. The scientists outlined their findings in a study published Sept. 7 in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.

"This research overcomes the fundamental limitation where traditional artificial muscles are either highly stretchable but weak or strong but stiff," lead study author Hoon Eui Jeong, a professor of mechanical engineering at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), said in a statement. "Our composite material can do both, opening the door to more versatile soft robots, wearable devices, and intuitive human-machine interfaces."

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Artificial muscles are often limited by an inability to be flexible or taut; they need to be stretchable while still offering enough energy output, or else their work densities are limited. But soft artificial muscles are believed to be transformative because they're lightweight, mechanically compliant, and capable of multidirectional actuation (movement).

When the researchers say "work density," they refer to how much energy per unit volume the muscle can deliver. Achieving high values alongside high stretchability is where the challenge lies for artificial muscles.

Do you even lift, robo?

The scientists described their artificial muscle as a "high-performance magnetic composite actuator," which means it's a complex chemical combination of polymers that link together to mimic the pull and release of muscles.

One of these polymers can have its level of stiffness altered and sits in a matrix that has magnetic microparticles on the surface that can also be controlled. This enables the muscle to be animated and controlled through the tunable stiffness, thus allowing it to be moved.

The researchers' new design integrates two distinct cross-linking mechanisms. The first is a covalently bonded chemical network (two or more atoms that share electrons to achieve a more stable configuration) and a reversible, physically interacting network. The two mechanisms, developed in this way, provide the durability for the muscle to work long-term, the researchers said in the study.

The trade-off between stiffness and stretchability is effectively solved by a dual cross-linking architecture, and the physical network is further reinforced by incorporating a type of microparticle (NdFeB) on the surface of the muscle that can be given a function via a colorless liquid (octadecyltrichlorosilane). The particles are dispersed throughout the polymer matrix.

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The composite muscle becomes stiff when bearing heavy loads and softens when it needs to contract. In its stiffened state, the artificial muscle, which weighs just 0.04 ounce (1.13 grams), can support up to 11 pounds (5 kilograms) — roughly 4,400 times its own weight.

A human muscle contracts at approximately 40% strain, but the synthetic muscle achieves a strain of 86.4% — over double that of the human muscle, the researchers said in the study. This enables a work density of 1,150 kilojoules per meter cubed — 30 times higher than human tissue is capable of.

The researchers used a uniaxial tensile test to measure the strength of their artificial muscle. A type of mechanical test that applies a pulling force to a subject until it fractures – the elongation is measured against the applied force to find its ultimate tensile strength.

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The jaw-dropping video of a US drone firing a Hellfire missile at an orb, only for the object to remain completely unaffected, has left lawmakers and the public stunned.  

The footage, presented during Tuesday's congressional hearing on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), shows an MQ-9 drone tracking an unknown object as another MQ-9 launches a Hellfire missile. 

The missile struck the orb, but instead of detonating, it appeared to bounce off. 

While questions swirl about the video, UFO researcher and filmmaker Mark Christopher Lee told the Daily Mail that the object seen during the hearing 'is non-human.'

'The way the object is described, as a glowing, bright, luminous sphere, like an orb, is unlike anything we currently have,' he said.  'It moves in a fast, straight line, making it trackable, yet shows no visible signs of propulsion such as exhaust plumes or rotors, almost like a plasma object.' 

Lee highlighted the orb's ability to deflect the missile as highly unusual, suggesting technology beyond current human capabilities. 

'None that I know of, which makes me believe it's a non-human UAP,' he added. He also noted similarities to other unexplained drone sightings, including recent incidents in New Jersey. 

However, not all experts agree. Alejandro Rojas, an advisor at Enigma Labs, which analyzes UAP reports, said the video appears authentic but may be a conventional explanation. 

'It seems like the object hit was moving slowly and did not continue. To me, it appears that the missile was unaffected and continued flying,' Rojas said. 'It's likely a military test or drone of some sort.' 

The  video showed a US military drone striking an orb-shaped UFO with a missile, which bounced off and did not stop the craft

The footage, presented during Tuesday's c ongressional hearing on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), shows an MQ-9 drone tracking an unknown object as another MQ-9 launches a Hellfire missile (stock)

The black-and-white footage was presented by Missouri Congressman Eric Burlison, who said he received it anonymously in a 'dead drop.'

'This was taken on October 30, 2024. It shows an MQ-9 tracking an orb off the coast of Yemen,' Burlison explained. 'Another MQ-9 launched a Hellfire missile, which you cannot see, and I'm not going to explain it to you. You'll see exactly what it does.'

UAP journalist George Knapp, who also testified, reacted to the video by asking, 'What the h*** is that?' Burlison replied, 'I'm not going to speculate what it is, but the question is, why are we being blocked from this information consistently?'

Lee speculated that the orb may represent an inter-dimensional phenomenon rather than a craft from another planet. 

'This is the true reality of UFO disclosure. It's far weirder than beings from another planet,' he said, adding that the object was likely only making its presence known, not preparing to attack.

When asked whether the footage captured an extraterrestrial craft, Rojas responded bluntly, 'I do not believe it is ET.'

Three Navy and Air Force veterans testified Tuesday morning on Capitol Hill at the third congressional hearing on UAPs, the new term for UFOs, since 2023. 

The men disclosed how they saw multiple types of strange, unexplained craft while on duty, including giant triangles, glowing cubes larger than a football field, and the infamous Tic-Tac-shaped vehicles spotted over the Pacific Ocean.

The black-and-white footage was presented by Missouri Congressman Eric Burlison, who said he received it anonymously in a 'dead drop'

Along with their eye-witness accounts, two of the veterans claimed that the US government has attempted to keep their incidents a secret, allegedly threatening witnesses to stay quiet and blacklisting at least one of the veterans.

Dylan Borland, a former Air Force geospatial intelligence specialist, said in his opening statement that multiple government agencies blocked him from getting work, forged his documents, and manipulated his security clearance.

Witness Jeffrey Nuccetelli, a former Air Force military police officer, said that he witnessed five unexplained incidents at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base between 2003 and 2005.

Those included receiving reports of a 'glowing red square' hovering silently over missile defense sites and witnessing a giant rectangle-shaped ship over 100 yards long on the same night in October 2003.

A week later, Nuccetelli said he documented how patrols at the base saw a strange light over the ocean heading toward Vandenberg. When guards called for help, the object quickly descended, hovered briefly, and then vanished.

Three military whistleblowers and other experts spoke on Tuesday during the third congressional hearing on UFOs

'They destroyed all the police records, so you couldn't even call the Air Force and ask them if there was a vehicle accident,' Nuccetelli said.

Alexandro Wiggins, an active duty US Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer, was also brought in as a witness and described a strange encounter while aboard the USS Jackson off the Southern California coast on February 15, 2023.

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Wiggins witnessed a Tic-Tac craft emerge from the Pacific and join three other Tic-Tacs in a flying formation over the navy vessel.

All of the Tic-Tacs shot off at the same time with incredible speed, without creating a sonic boom or making the typical engine trails of a plane or drone.

Knapp, a chief investigative reporter for KLAS-TV in Las Vegas, highlighted a decades-long pursuit of the UAP story through government documents and witness accounts, documenting years of suspicious behavior surrounding the government's official narratives about UFOs.

He said Americans were told for decades that there was no documentation of any kind of strange craft, but that changed when the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was enacted in 1966.

The journalist noted that thousands of pages of previously classified documents have suddenly been released in the ensuing decades, including many involving reports of UAPs worldwide.

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