Sometime in 2029, the European Space Agency is scheduled to launch its Comet Interceptor Mission. The Interceptor will wait for a long-period comet to arrive in the inner solar system then set off on a trajectory to rendezvous with it.

Recently, astrophysicist Avi Loeb claimed that 3I/ATLAS boasts a “heartbeat”-like pulse that could provide evidence of the inner workings of a spaceship.

The rare interstellar comet, also known as 3I/ATLAS, was first discovered in July and has been photographed several times.

Analysis of the second confirmed interstellar comet to visit our solar system suggests that the alien body could be covered in erupting icy, volcano-like structures called cryovolcanoes. Researchers also discovered that the comet has a metal-rich interior,

Harvard scientist Avi Loeb claims the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS may be alien technology sent to seed life on Earth, sparking a debate with sceptics who insist it is merely a comet.

December is the month that fans of 3I/ATLAS have been waiting for as the interstellar comet makes its closest approach to Earth.

Astronomers found signs that mysterious interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is radiating a "heartbeat" pulse of light that repeats every 16.16 hours.

I/ATLAS moving faster than human-made spacecraft? The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS moves on a hyperbolic path and will reach Jupiter long before ESAs Juice spacecraft. This explainer covers discovery,