Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Lights Up December Skies: X‑Ray Glow, Life‑Building Molecules and How to Watch the December 19 Flyby
Astronomers have detected X-rays from interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS for the first time, days before its closest approach to Earth on December 19 at 1.8 AU. Hubble and ESA JUICE captured images showing twin tails, while Mars-based observatories joined the campaign. Chemical analysis revealed organic molecules. Headlines speculating about chemical weapons and alien probes have circulated alongside scientific reports.