Is Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Really Spinning? New ‘Footage’ Sparks Wild Theories, Check What’s Actually Going On | World News
New Image of 3I/ATLAS: The internet is buzzing with excitement after new images and videos of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS appeared on astronomy forums, NASA updates, ESA observation threads and social media. Many posts claim that the comet appears to be spinning, with some claiming to show dust rings, separated shells, or swirling motion patterns.
But the truth is that none of these claims have been scientifically verified. Still, viral buzz about the fast-moving visitor now racing through our Solar System for the first and only time has skyrocketed public curiosity.
What Started the ‘3I/ATLAS Returns’ Theory?
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Speculation began when space photographers and amateur astronomers shared images showing the comet’s rotation around it. Notable viral posts include:
1. Image Claiming a Rotating Structure
A widely shared post compared the motion around 3I/ATLAS to an old ESA ExoMars Orbiter capture and suggested that the new images may indicate rotation. The images attributed to Diego San Araujo have not yet been verified and have not been examined by scientific organizations.
3I/ATLAS: NEW IMAGES!
The new images clearly show a rotating structure.
It looks very similar to those captured by ESA’s ExoMars Orbiter.
Do we have any information that this is not a comet?
Source: Diego San Araujo#3IATLAS #3IAtlasOpen #Space #UFOx pic.twitter.com/fPmJSAdhi3— 3I/ATLAS WARNING blower (@3IATLASEXPOSED) 21 November 2025
2. Ray’s Astrophotography Video at 9pm EST
Another post claimed that a newly shared video showed the comet “spinning.” It was also stated that NASA is preparing to release new official images during a live event later in the week. Again, exciting but unconfirmed.
BREAKING: An amateur astronomer (Ray’s Astrophotography /Youtube) posted a video containing these images of 3I/ATLAS at 9pm EST.
This is relevant because we will be receiving new images of 3i/ATLAS from NASA during a live event scheduled for Wednesday at 3pm EST.
Ray says so… pic.twitter.com/5cDlDCKu4z— Astronomy all day (@forallcuious) 19 November 2025
3. Stacked Images Showing “Five Objects Surrounding a Center”
One user stacked multiple long exposure shots and observed a pattern that looked like five objects orbiting around a central point. Experts noted that coma shifts, dust jets and core activity could easily create similar visual illusions.
In the latest capture, 3I/ATLAS shows a motion pattern that resembles five objects orbiting a center.
Stacked images reveal the changing coma patterns, dust jets, and inner core movement that create this spinning effect.
Video Credit: Rays Astrophotography pic.twitter.com/DvVDdkBQG1— Space and Technology (@spaceandtech_) 18 November 2025
4. Claims of 150,000 km Wide “Perfect Dust Rings”
Yet another viral image claimed that there were five dust rings, described as discrete shells, orbiting the comet. This dramatic claim has also not been verified.
A new photo of Object 3I/ATLAS has emerged from Ray Astrophotography before NASA released its official image, and people are definitely noticing something odd about it. pic.twitter.com/p9r0N40hhP— UFO madness (@maniaUFO) 19 November 2025
Despite the lack of verification, these posts fueled speculation around the world.
3I/ATLAS: SEPARATE SHELLS!
5 perfect dust rings orbiting the core 150,000 km.
I’ve never seen anything like this…
UNBELIEVABLE!
Credit: Ray’s Astrophotography#3IATLAS #3IAtlasOpen #Space #UFOx pic.twitter.com/Da1BpkoLn7— 3I/ATLAS WARNING blower (@3IATLASEXPOSED) 18 November 2025
What We Know: Verified Facts About 3I/ATLAS
3I/ATLAS was discovered by the ATLAS survey telescope in Chile on July 1, 2025. NASA confirmed two important things early:
1. It is the third known interstellar object after ‘Oumuamua (2017) and Borisov (2019).
2. It moves along a hyperbolic orbit, meaning it came from beyond the Solar System and will never return.
NASA and ESA observations have already determined that the comet is moving at over 210,000 km/h, too fast for the Sun’s gravity to catch it.
ALSO READ | NASA and ISRO Capture Rare Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Passing Mars Faster Than Any Object We’ve Ever Tracked
Comet’s Path, Speed and Where to See It
Following its closest approach to the Sun on October 30, 2025, 3I/ATLAS began returning to Earth’s pre-dawn sky.
Visibility: Low eastern horizon before dawn
Required tools: A telescope of at least 8 inches
Best months: November and December
Closest planet approach: Mars at 29 million km (2-3 October)
It is invisible to the naked eye, and early in its journey it was 1.8 AU away, too far for small telescopes to detect.
ALSO READ | Cosmic Scars Reveal That the Sun Were Once Siblings, and Their Separation Was More Severe Than We Thought
Why is 3I/ATLAS So Scientifically Important?
Astronomers believe the comet may contain high levels of carbon dioxide, indicating that it formed in an extremely cold part of a distant star system. This makes it a rare chance to study material far beyond our Solar System.
Interstellar nature also means:
1. No periodic orbit
2. No return visits
3. The observation opportunity of a lifetime
Because so few interstellar objects pass near Earth, every data point is valuable.
ESA’s JUICE Mission and What NASA Will Reveal Next
ESA’s JUICE spacecraft will continue to observe 3I/ATLAS from 2 to 25 November, with detailed data expected in 2026.
Meanwhile, new NASA images and analyzes are expected soon that could help confirm whether any of the online “spin” effects are real physical features or merely imaging artifacts.
How to Follow 3I/ATLAS Yourself?
Space enthusiasts can track its live location using NASA’s Eyes on the Solar System tool. This allows users to monitor the hyperbolic escape trajectory in real time.
Is 3I/ATLAS really returning?
No scientific institution has confirmed this at this time. But the viral images have sparked worldwide curiosity, making this interstellar visitor one of the most talked about space objects of 2025.
