1. The Rumor: "Webb Discovers a Code Within 3I/ATLAS's Signal"
The last few days saw social media and blogs writing on fringe science go into a flurry of excitement with a sensational assertion: that the observation of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS made by JWST uncovered a secret "signal" or "code" buried within its emissions, possibly a deliberate communication from alien intelligence.
Various iterations of the assertion report JWST "detection of an repeating pattern hidden deep in the light" from the comet, while YouTube and other speculative videos treat it as though scientists have discovered "alien communications."
But an examination of conventional astrophysics news, NASA press releases, and peer-reviewed articles finds no substantiation for such an assertion.
2. What We Do Know About 3I/ATLAS and JWST Observations
2.1 Interstellar Origins & Simple Facts
3I/ATLAS is the third known interstellar object (following ʻOumuamua and 2I/Borisov).
It was initially discovered on 1 July 2025 by the ATLAS survey in Chile.
Its path is hyperbolic, meaning it's not gravitationally bound to the Sun and is merely passing through.
2.2 JWST's Observations & Chemical Peculiarities
On August 6, 2025, JWST looked at 3I/ATLAS with its Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) instrument.
First results are interesting: the coma of the comet (cloud of gas and dust) seems to be abundant in carbon dioxide compared to water—one of the highest CO₂:H₂O ratios ever observed in a comet.
That is surprising, since comets in our solar system tend more frequently to exhibit water (or water-source species) prevailing, particularly in relatively more moderate Sun distances.
These chemical irregularities beg the comet's origin question: Did it originate near a CO₂ "ice line" in its native protoplanetary system? Or did it get hit with intense radiation or thermal processing for eons in interstellar space?
2.3 Other Observations & Supporting Data
Swift Observatory (ultraviolet) observed the hydroxyl (OH) signature of 3I/ATLAS, a byproduct of water vapor, even at great distances from the Sun. That indicates water activity long before the comet approaches.
Ground-based observatories, Hubble, SPHEREx, ESA's Mars-orbiting spacecraft, and others are all feeding into the international observing campaign.
The suggestion some have put forward—that 3I/ATLAS may be an engineered probe, not a natural comet—remains speculative and without the backup of peer-reviewed evidence.
3. Why the "Code in the Signal" Rumor Likely Took Off
There are a number of reasons why this type of claim is particularly tempting:
Individuals are attracted to news of extraterrestrial "messages." Add to that JWST, arguably the most capable telescope ever constructed, and the temptation to try to sensationalize runs high.
Misinterpretation of Spectra
Spectroscopic data is complicated. Emission lines, absorption features, and signal processing may contain repeated patterns or periodicities (e.g. rotational modulation, pulsations), which might be misinterpreted as "codes" by those not familiar with them.
No Central Corrective Narrative Yet
Since many of the JWST data analyses are still ongoing and peer-reviewed, there is not yet an official "official" account to stifle more speculative ones.
Precedent from Past UFO / SETI Rumors
Mankind has a long history of interpreting "secret messages" from natural events (e.g. pulsars were jokingly referred to as "LGM"—Little Green Men) in the past.
4. What It Would Take to Prove a Real "Code"
If scientists were ever to assert a coded message was hidden in a comet's signal, it would take extraordinary evidence. Some of the criteria that would have to be met might include:
Very strong, non-random periodicity or structure in several independent instruments.
Redundancy and check bits, similar to what we have in contemporary communications, rather than a single instance of a pattern.
Spectral coherence over wavelengths — the signal would need to appear regularly across radio, infrared, ultraviolet, etc.
Eliminate all natural processes — numerous astrophysical events create repeating patterns (rotation, emission pulses, jets, outgassing cycles).
Independent confirmation by different research groups and telescopes.
Up till now, none of the above criteria is publicly asserted regarding 3I/ATLAS.
5. The Takeaway: Intrigue over the Unknown, but Patience with Science
JWST's observations of 3I/ATLAS are truly thrilling. They're breaking new ground about interstellar comets, chemistry, and the behavior of planetary systems outside our own.
There is unusual chemistry (such as high levels of CO₂) present, but that's quite a ways from a deliberate message.
The "code in the signal" narrative is in the realm of speculation and hype rather than science.
As data processing continues and papers are published,
we’ll get a clearer picture of what 3I/ATLAS is — and whether there’s anything
remotely “artificial” about it.
0 Comments