Scientists searching for signs of alien technology on a rare space visitor have found nothing unusual so far. Researchers from the Breakthrough Listen initiative say their observations detected no artificial radio signals.
The target of the search was Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, a rare object that entered our solar system from deep space. Such visitors offer scientists a brief chance to study material formed around another star.
The research focused on detecting โtechnosignatures.โ These are radio signals that could suggest intelligent activity. According to the team, no credible signals were detected. This included very weak transmissions, down to the 100-milliwatt level.
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS was first spotted in July 2025. The discovery came from the NASA-funded ATLAS survey in Chile. The object later passed Earth at a safe distance of about 270 million kilometers. Scientists confirmed there was no threat to the planet.
Interest in the comet increased after Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb raised questions about its appearance. In images from the Hubble Space Telescope, the comet showed unusual features. These included a long sunward-facing tail and a three-pronged jet pattern near its center. Loeb suggested these traits deserved closer study.
To investigate further, scientists used the Green Bank Telescope in the United States. The telescope observed the object for five hours on December 18. Researchers applied a careful โon-offโ method. This helped remove radio noise from satellites and aircraft around Earth.
Technosignatures usually appear as narrow radio frequency spikes. These signals are uncommon in natural space objects. However, the data showed no such signs from the comet.
The situation is similar to past interstellar discoveries. Objects like สปOumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019 also sparked debate. In both cases, no evidence of alien technology was found.
NASA officials continue to support a natural explanation. NASA associate administrator Amit Kshatriya said the object behaves like a normal comet. He pointed to its path and activity as key evidence.
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Scientists note that the study is not final. Some signals can hide others, and image processing can change how features appear. Still, based on current data, Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS appears to be a natural and silent traveler passing through our solar system.
