Rumours throughout social media platforms that an enormous comet is on a collision course with Earth have been circulating, with some customers describing it as a significant menace to humanity.
Others are debating how the comet – referred to as 3I/ATLAS and detected by NASA’s ATLAS telescope on July 1 – is perhaps diverted from the Earth. Some have even gone as far as to focus on “information” of navy actions and a global coordination to counter the comet earlier than influence, prompting additional alarm.
So is there any reality to those rumours and what do we all know for positive?
When and the way did rumours concerning the comet begin?
Rumours started spreading after the New York Submit printed a narrative on September 29 below the headline: “‘Large’ comet hurtling towards us is bigger than beforehand thought, might be alien tech, scientist says: ‘It may change the whole lot for us’.”
Customers on X (previously Twitter) circulated screenshots of the article to assist their claims. One account, below the title Steven Greenstreet, wrote: “Scientists say a large alien spaceship is hurtling in direction of Earth. Why aren’t extra folks speaking about this?”
Scientists say a large alien spaceship is hurtling in direction of Earth. Why aren’t extra folks speaking about this?!?! 😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/Q2NvVdcXa7
— Steven Greenstreet 🐷 (@MiddleOfMayhem) September 29, 2025
One other account known as Dr Disclosure reposted the story, including: “That is why all of the generals are gathering!” – a reference to a September 30 meeting of US military leaders chaired by Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth. That submit racked up greater than half one million views.
That is why all of the generals are gathering!!!!!! https://t.co/qzeeUAiR2P
— Dr. Disclosure (@Docneuroeo) September 29, 2025
In the meantime, an account below the title Richard Roeper shared his considerations: “A large comet is reportedly hurtling towards Earth at 130,000 mph! Can we cease it? I’m advised there are two missions within the works – one involving the specifically chosen “Messiah Crew,” and one using two squads, referred to as the Freedom Workforce and the Independence Workforce. We acquired this.”
A large comet is reportedly hurtling towards Earth at 130,000 mph! Can we cease it? I am advised there are two missions within the works–one involving the specifically chosen “Messiah Crew,” and one using two squads, referred to as the Freedom Workforce and the Independence Workforce. We acquired this. pic.twitter.com/dsbgW0giLD
— Richard Roeper (@RichardERoeper) September 29, 2025
Why do some folks declare it’s an alien plane?
Hypothesis escalated, with some accounts suggesting the item was not a comet in any respect however in actual fact a spacecraft heading in direction of Earth.
An account below the title Lord Bebo shared statements falsely attributed to US physicist Michio Kaku, claiming the item was on the best way “to conduct a reconnaissance mission, probably with hostile intent”. The submit, accompanied by an edited screenshot of a tv interview with Kaku and the caption, “It is perhaps an ALIEN probe despatched to Earth” garnered greater than 290,000 views and dozens of feedback.
☄️ Comet stirs debate amongst astrophysicists & they name for pressing worldwide consideration on interstellar object 3I/ATLAS
Physicist Michio Kaku: its acceleration can’t be defined by typical causes, and it is approaching Earth CLOSER than anticipated
Professor of pure… pic.twitter.com/zEt0NO34bm
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) October 1, 2025
Equally, one other account known as Astronomy Vibes urged: “Whereas most scientists agree it’s possible an odd comet, a couple of daring voices counsel it is perhaps one thing extra – perhaps even an engineered probe from one other civilization.” No proof was supplied.
🚨 Breaking Cosmic Information!
Scientists have noticed a 7-mile-wide interstellar customer — the most important of its sort ever seen — racing by way of our photo voltaic system. Referred to as 3I/ATLAS, this large comet isn’t from round right here… it comes from deep interstellar area! 🌌What’s stunning is… pic.twitter.com/DDxOJPDlUg
— Astronomy Vibes (@AstronomyVibes) October 1, 2025
So, what are the details?
Al Jazeera’s fact-checking company, SANAD, investigated the claims concerning the comet referred to as 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar object, to find out whether or not it actually poses any actual menace to Earth or may even be a hostile probe.
The comet was in actual fact detected by NASA’s ATLAS telescope on July 1, 2025. NASA, which describes it as having “a teardrop-shaped cocoon of mud coming off its strong, icy nucleus”, confirmed that it poses no hazard to Earth. It famous that the closest it has come to the Earth was about 270 million kilometres (167.8 million miles) on July 21.
The European House Company (ESA) additionally confirmed that the comet poses no menace to Earth or to some other planet, explaining that its closest distance was greater than 2.5 occasions that between Earth and the Solar.
In keeping with NASA, the comet will attain its closest method to the Solar on October 30, 2025. At that time, will probably be about 210 million km (130.5 million miles) from the solar, simply contained in the orbit of Mars.
This can be a vital comet, nonetheless. In keeping with the Hubble House Telescope, it’s travelling at about 210,000 kilometres per hour (130,500 miles per hour) – the quickest pace ever recorded for a “customer” to our photo voltaic system.
🆕 Hubble has caught an interstellar interloper — comet 3I/ATLAS!
Learn extra: https://t.co/fSIpjDYeu1 or in 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/6dUojFwdnW
— HUBBLE (@HUBBLE_space) August 7, 2025
NASA mentioned the comet presents a uncommon alternative for scientists to check an interstellar “customer” because it passes by way of the photo voltaic system.
“Hubble’s persevering with observations permit astronomers to extra precisely estimate the dimensions of the comet’s nucleus,” the company mentioned in an announcement. “Observations as of August 20, 2025, point out that the higher restrict on its diameter is 3.5 miles (5.6 km), although it might be as small as 1,444ft (440 metres) throughout.”
Comet 3I/ATLAS would not pose a menace to Earth, however it does present NASA scientists and spacecraft with a uncommon alternative to check an interstellar comet because it passes by way of our photo voltaic system. ☄ https://t.co/B1MkBRZuT4 pic.twitter.com/wAmBUEte8l
— NASA Photo voltaic System (@NASASolarSystem) September 30, 2025
As for the quotes attributed to physicist Michio Kaku, SANAD discovered no proof supporting them. The picture circulating on-line was taken from an older interview with US outlet Nation Information on February 20, 2025 – months earlier than the invention of 3I/ATLAS.
Will an enormous “city-killer” asteroid collide with Earth in 2032? The percentages do not rule it out. So what can we do about it? I appeared on @NewsNation‘s On Steadiness with @LelandVittert to debate the probabilities. #asteroid #asteroidimpact pic.twitter.com/ZHYi982SEi
— Dr. Michio Kaku (@michiokaku) February 20, 2025
