Source: NASA, 3I/ATLAS, James Webb Space Telescope

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope observed interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS Aug. 6, with its Near-Infrared Spectrograph instrument. Webb is one of NASA’s space telescopes observing this comet, together providing more information about its size, physical properties, and chemical makeup. Webb’s data, and a preprint is available online.

“Unlike nearly any comet in the Solar System”

SPACEWEATHER.COM NEWS: 08/26/2025 UPDATED

IS 3I/ATLAS REALLY A COMET? The most interesting mystery in astronomy right now is the nature of interstellar object 3I/ATLAS. Most astronomers believe it is a comet. However, iconoclast Avi Loeb of Harvard University makes a compelling case that it might not be.

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A Field of Fire Moving Into Earth’s Strikezone

EARTH IS ALMOST IN THE STRIKE ZONE: A phalanx of large sunspots is turning toward Earth. Sunspot 4199 is crackling with M-class flares, while big sunspot 4197 has a delta-class magnetic field that harbors energy for even stronger X-flares. Earth is almost in the strike zone of these active regions, and we will be squarely bulls-eyed later this week.

Light Raining Down On Earth

THE FARSIDE SUNSPOTS HAVE ARRIVED: Last week, sunspot groups on the farside of the sun hurled multiple significant CMEs into space. Here’s an example. They’re not on the farside anymore. Today, the active regions are turning to face Earth: