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3I/ATLAS: Interstellar Object to Pass Mars, Sparks Curiosity

10/4/2025

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Summary

Story summary

3I/ATLAS, third interstellar object, will pass Mars this week.
A new paper reports 3I/ATLAS has an unusual nickel and iron abundance in its gas plume.
Researchers question why metals vaporize at low temperatures; object may become comet-like near the Sun.
Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb proposes using NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter; he estimates a diameter beyond 3.1 miles, possibly an artifact.

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Story summary

3I/ATLAS, third interstellar object, will pass Mars this week.
A new paper reports 3I/ATLAS has an unusual nickel and iron abundance in its gas plume.
Researchers question why metals vaporize at low temperatures; object may become comet-like near the Sun.
Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb proposes using NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter; he estimates a diameter beyond 3.1 miles, possibly an artifact.