Rumours circulating across social media platforms have sparked alarm, with users claiming that a giant comet known as 3I/ATLAS is heading towards Earth and poses a “major threat to humanity”. Some posts have even alleged that governments and military forces are preparing a coordinated global response to prevent an impact.
The comet, officially designated C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), was first detected by NASA’s ATLAS telescope in Chile on 1 July 2025. However, experts from both NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have since confirmed that the object poses no danger to Earth and will pass safely at a distance of about 1.8 astronomical units, roughly 270 million kilometres away.
How Did the Rumours Start?
The speculation appears to have gained traction after the New York Post published a story on 29 September, suggesting the comet was “larger than previously thought” and quoting an unnamed scientist claiming it “could change everything for us”. Screenshots of the article quickly spread on X (formerly Twitter), where users shared exaggerated or misleading interpretations.
One post by user Steven Greenstreet read: “Scientists say a massive alien spaceship is hurtling towards Earth. Why aren’t more people talking about this?” The claim was soon amplified by conspiracy accounts.
False Alien Claims Fuel Misinformation
Adding to the confusion, another viral post, shared by an account called Lord Bebo, falsely attributed comments to theoretical physicist Michio Kaku, alleging that the comet might be “an alien reconnaissance craft with hostile intent”. The post included a doctored image of a TV interview and gained over 290,000 views, despite being completely fabricated.
NASA has reiterated that 3I/ATLAS is a natural interstellar comet, not an artificial object, and that its passage offers scientists a rare opportunity to study material from beyond our Solar System, not a reason for panic.
