Earth has faced five major extinction events over its 4.5 billion-year history, with the last one leading to the demise of non-avian dinosaurs about 66 million years ago. This extinction is often linked to the Chicxulub asteroid impact. Some scientists suggest that these extinction events might have astrophysical origins, like supernovae or movements through the Milky Way. A more intriguing idea is that life on Earth could be reset by an external “gardener” when it strays too far off course.
This idea raises a fascinating question: could the Chicxulub impactor be related to the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS? Both objects are similar in mass, though 3I/ATLAS poses no current threat to Earth. If it ever were to change course, understanding that relationship could become crucial.
Recently, this comet captured public interest, even prompting a tweet from Kim Kardashian about it. She playfully asked NASA’s acting administrator, Sean Duffy, for more information on 3I/ATLAS. He responded, reassuring her that it’s safe and poses no danger to Earth.
On the same day, Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna wrote to Duffy, asking for high-resolution images of 3I/ATLAS from NASA’s HiRISE camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. This data is essential for further observations, especially as the comet approaches Earth in December 2025.
During a TV interview, an expert noted that there’s a lot we still don’t know about 3I/ATLAS. Here are some intriguing findings so far:
- Its path is unusually aligned with the ecliptic plane, showing a 0.2% chance of being a coincidence.
- In summer 2025, it had a sunward jet that wasn’t an optical illusion.
- Its nucleus is much more massive than other interstellar objects, like `Oumuamua and Borisov.
- It’s also presented some odd gas composition; its plume has more nickel than typical comets.
While Elon Musk suggested that natural asteroids can also contain nickel, most asteroids also harbor iron. However, 3I/ATLAS shows a higher nickel-to-iron ratio. The distinct composition of its gas could provide clues about its origin.
Upcoming observations will further clarify their mysteries. If no debris cloud is detected as it passes close to Earth, we might entertain the idea that it operates through something beyond conventional cometary behavior, perhaps even engineered.
As science continues to evolve, data sharing among scientists should remain unaffected by politics. Available data is crucial, especially in understanding 3I/ATLAS and what it might reveal about our universe.
For further insights, you can look at NASA’s resources and read up on comet studies: [NASA](https://www.nasa.gov).
