A 3D illustration of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, which will pass no closer than 270 million km (168 million miles) from Earth [Shutterstock].
Social media has been flooded with rumours claiming that a massive comet is on a collision course with Earth, with some users calling it a major threat to humanity.
The comet, identified as 3I/ATLAS and first detected by NASA’s ATLAS telescope on July 1, has sparked widespread speculation about potential impact scenarios. Some online posts even claim that global military forces are preparing coordinated efforts to intercept the object — unfounded reports that have only intensified public concern.
Is there any truth to the rumours?
No. NASA and the European Space Agency have confirmed that comet 3I/ATLAS poses no threat to Earth. It will only come as close as 270 million km (168 million miles) — far from Earth’s orbit.
When and how did the rumours start?
The rumours began after the New York Post published an article on September 29 titled: “‘Massive’ comet hurtling toward us is larger than previously thought, could be alien tech, scientist says: ‘It could change everything for us.’”
Screenshots of the story quickly spread on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter). One account named Steven Greenstreet falsely claimed that “scientists say a massive alien spaceship is hurtling toward Earth,” fuelling panic and conspiracy theories.
What we know for sure:
- Comet 3I/ATLAS is an interstellar object just passing through the solar system.
- It will not collide with Earth.
- Claims about “alien tech” or “military action” are baseless conspiracy theories.
Another account, Dr Disclosure, reposted the article, writing: “This is why all the generals are gathering!” — referring to a September 30 meeting of U.S. military leaders chaired by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The post quickly went viral, gaining over half a million views and adding fuel to the growing online panic.
Meanwhile, an account named Richard Roeper added to the frenzy, posting: “A massive comet is reportedly hurtling toward Earth at 130,000 mph! Can we stop it? I’m told there are two missions in the works – one involving the specially selected ‘Messiah Crew,’ and another using two squads known as the Freedom Team and the Independence Team. We got this.”
The post, written in a dramatic tone, blended fiction with misinformation, further confusing social media users and amplifying fears about the comet.
Why do some people claim it’s an alien aircraft?
Speculation intensified when several social media accounts began claiming that 3I/ATLAS was not a comet but an alien spacecraft approaching Earth.
One account, under the name Lord Bebo, shared fabricated quotes attributed to U.S. physicist Michio Kaku, falsely suggesting that the object was “on a reconnaissance mission, possibly with hostile intent.” The post included a doctored screenshot of a TV interview with Kaku and the caption, “It might be an ALIEN probe sent to Earth.” It went viral, drawing over 290,000 views and fueling conspiracy theories across platforms.
So, what are the facts?
Al Jazeera’s fact-checking unit, SANAD, investigated the online claims surrounding comet 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar object, to verify whether it poses any real threat to Earth or could possibly be an alien probe. Their findings confirm that the object is harmless, following a natural trajectory that will keep it 270 million km (168 million miles) away from Earth — far beyond any collision risk or extraterrestrial speculation.
The comet 3I/ATLAS was first detected by NASA’s ATLAS telescope on July 1, 2025. NASA describes it as having “a teardrop-shaped cocoon of dust coming off its solid, icy nucleus” and has confirmed that it poses no danger to Earth. Its closest approach was on July 21, when it passed at a safe distance of about 270 million kilometres (167.8 million miles).
The European Space Agency (ESA) also verified that the comet poses no threat to Earth or any other planet, noting that its nearest point was over 2.5 times farther than the distance between Earth and the Sun.
NASA further stated that 3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to the Sun on October 30, 2025, coming within 210 million km (130.5 million miles) — just inside Mars’s orbit.
Despite its harmless trajectory, the comet is noteworthy: data from the Hubble Space Telescope shows it’s moving at around 210,000 km/h (130,500 mph) — the fastest speed ever recorded for an interstellar visitor entering our solar system.
NASA said the comet offers a rare opportunity for scientists to study an interstellar visitor as it travels through our solar system.
“Hubble’s continuing observations allow astronomers to more accurately estimate the size of the comet’s nucleus,” the agency noted in a statement. “As of August 20, 2025, observations suggest its diameter could be up to 3.5 miles (5.6 km), though it may be as small as 1,444 feet (440 metres) across.”
Regarding the quotes falsely attributed to physicist Michio Kaku, SANAD found no evidence that he ever made such statements. The image circulating online was actually taken from an older interview Kaku gave to Nation News on February 20, 2025 — months before the discovery of comet 3I/ATLAS.
