Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, participated in the podcast The Joe Rogan Experience on October 31 and commented on the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, detected in July 2025. The businessman ruled out any possibility of the object being an extraterrestrial spacecraft. He explained that the observed characteristics have a natural origin.
The object, the third confirmed interstellar visitor, generated speculation after records of a slight change in its trajectory. Musk stated that the change occurs due to the release of gases, a common process in comets. The statement occurred during a direct conversation with presenter Joe Rogan.
Scientists have been following 3I/ATLAS since its discovery and confirm its classification as a comet. The celestial body must leave the Solar System after passing close to the Sun.
Object trajectory and characteristics
Comet 3I/ATLAS has a high speed and follows a hyperbolic trajectory. These factors confirm its origin outside the Solar System.
The recorded course change does not indicate an intentional maneuver. Non-gravitational acceleration results from outgassing.
The phenomenon occurs when solar heat causes sublimation of ice on the surface. The release creates momentum similar to a natural engine.
Debate involving Avi Loeb
Astronomer Abraham Loeb, from Harvard University, mentioned non-gravitational accelerations of the object. He recognizes that the effect comes from the release of gases.
Loeb has already advocated investigations into possible technological origins in previous interstellar objects. In the case of 3I/ATLAS, there is no evidence of an artificial structure.
The likely composition includes significant amounts of nickel. This metal frequently appears on natural celestial bodies.
Comparison with previous visitors
The first confirmed interstellar object was the asteroid 1I/’Oumuamua, in 2017. The second was the comet 2I/Borisov, identified in 2019.
The 3I/ATLAS follows a similar pattern to the previous ones in terms of speed and trajectory. Both previous cases also generated initial debates about origin.
Studies reinforce that interstellar objects function as records of distant regions of the Milky Way. The passage offers data on the formation of remote planetary systems.
Scientific community position
Institutions such as NASA and SETI classify 3I/ATLAS as a natural body. Observations reveal no signs of technology.
Researchers highlight the importance of collecting data during the passage. The comet carries material formed billions of years ago.
Terrestrial and space telescopes monitor the current movement. There is no risk of collision with Earth.
Detailed technical explanations
The release of gases occurs asymmetrically on the surface of the comet.
This process generates enough force to alter the orbit slightly.
The effect is known and documented in several comets in the Solar System.
The presence of nickel reinforces the natural origin of the nucleus.
- Outgassing causes measurable acceleration
- Nickel is a common element in meteorites and asteroids
- Hyperbolic trajectory confirms unique passage through the Solar System
- Speed exceeds solar exhaust at specific points
Musk declared that he would immediately reveal any real evidence of extraterrestrial life. The statement reinforces your assessment of 3I/ATLAS.
