Japan Detects X-Rays From 3I/ATLAS For First Time Ever
- Cristina Gomez
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Japan has achieved a historic first in interstellar observation. According to data released by JAXA, the Japanese Space Agency, their XRISM satellite detected X-ray emissions from 3I/ATLAS during a 17-hour observation period from November 26th to 28th. The spectrum revealed excess emissions of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen beyond background levels. This marks the first time any interstellar object has been detected in X-rays. Neither Oumuamua nor Borisov, the two previous interstellar visitors, produced such readings. The XRISM team published their initial findings on December 3rd through The Astronomer’s Telegram, and other research groups are already planning follow-up observations.
Meanwhile, space agencies across multiple nations have been conducting coordinated defense exercises in recent weeks. The European Space Agency launched a three-day simulation activating their full planetary defense setup, bringing together rapid response teams, mission control hubs, and ground-based monitoring networks. Japan followed with its own impact scenario drill involving civilian authorities, defense units, and private satellite operators. The United States Space Force moved forward a major tracking rehearsal originally scheduled for late 2026, pushing it up by over a year. Australia, South Korea, and Brazil have also reportedly joined the exercise program, sharing data across newly activated monitoring systems.
The International Asteroid Warning Network has updated its protocols to allow temporary use of classified monitoring data for objects labeled as non-standard hyperbolic bodies. Officials maintain there is no immediate threat and no suggestion that 3I/ATLAS is on a collision course with Earth. However, the scale and synchronization of this activity suggests governments are treating this anomaly seriously.
The sunward-facing anti-tail continues to puzzle researchers. According to the latest Hubble image from November 30th, this feature extends approximately 60,000 kilometers. Dr. Sebastian Voltmer captured fresh images on December 1st from Utah showing that while the main anti-sun tail is fading as expected, the sunward jet is doing the opposite. It is getting larger and brighter.
Dr. Avi Loeb, speaking with Chris Cuomo this week, emphasized the importance of taking even low-probability possibilities seriously due to their potential implications. Loeb has proposed that rather than a single interstellar body, there may be several smaller companions moving alongside 3I/ATLAS in a swarm formation. If such a swarm exists, it would fundamentally change how space agencies interpret and track the phenomenon.
Looking ahead, Earth will orbit through the region of space where 3I/ATLAS was during perihelion between March and April of 2026. The material ejected by the jets observed post-perihelion is now drifting along the object’s path. Whether any of it will interact with Earth remains unknown.
3I/ATLAS reaches its closest approach to Earth on December 19th, 2025, at a distance of approximately 1.8 astronomical units. Scientists worldwide will be watching closely as new data continues to arrive daily.
Sources
First X-Ray Detection of 3I/ATLAS. (2025, December 9). Medium. https://avi-loeb.medium.com/first-x-ray-detection-of-3i-atlas-9c2e9daf2880
iawn: 20th Meeting of the Steering Committee. (n.d.). https://iawn.net/meetings/20-steering-cmte.shtml
Singh, M. (2025, December 11). From US to Australia, mysterious 3I/ATLAS spaceship pushes countries into urgent space-threat drills. The Economic Times.
The Chris Cuomo Project. (2025, December 9). The truth we’re missing about UFOs and 3I Atlas [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfKuL75LNlk
The Tale of 3I/ATLAS and Sterile Neutrinos. (2025, December 10). Medium. https://avi-loeb.medium.com/the-tale-of-3i-atlas-and-sterile-neutrinos-296b3680dcda
