Unusual Patterns in 3I/ATLAS Thermal Images Raise Questions

The latest thermal images of the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS have sparked intense debate among scientists. These images reveal strange patterns that defy expectations for comets.

Unusual Heat Distribution

• The heat around 3I/ATLAS forms neat, circular layers, unlike the messy patterns typical of comets.
• A dark ring surrounds the core, where heat drops sharply before rising again, suggesting an unknown blocking or controlling mechanism.

Bending Heat and Stable Hotspots

• The outer heat layer bends in a way that doesn't align with the Sun's pull or the object's movement, hinting at a shielding or counteracting force.
• Two stable hotspots remain fixed in place, unlike the moving heat bursts seen in comets. Their mirrored positions deepen the mystery.

Missing Heat Tail and Cool Ring

• Unlike comets, 3I/ATLAS lacks a long, hot tail. Its heat stays close, refusing to stretch out.
• A thin, cool ring encircles the core, a confirmed feature in multiple images.

Scientific Intrigue

These findings add to the list of anomalies surrounding 3I/ATLAS, which behaves unlike any known comet. Scientists await more data, including unreleased NASA images from October, to unravel the mystery.