Magnificent Images of Jets Around 3I/ATLAS | by Avi Loeb | Nov, 2025
The astrophotographer Satoru Murata released here a stunning image of the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS combining 24 exposures of 60 seconds each with a 0.2-meter telescope (Celestron EdgeHD 800) in New Mexico, USA, on November 16, 2025. The image shows multiple jets both towards and away from the Sun, including an anti-tail and a much longer tightly collimated tail.
A day later, on November 17, 2025, a newer image of 3I/ATLAS was posted here by Francois Kugel, combining 22 exposures of 30 seconds each with a 0.4-meter aperture telescope.
While these images were taken, I received the following sample of letters:
Letter 1
“Dear Dr. Loeb,
My name is Kevin. I am a software engineer based out of St. Louis. I have always had a love of the stars and everything that is out there. On the other side of that, I have always been saddened by the general mindset of many in the scientific community of naysayers when it comes to extraterrestrial life. The narrow mindedness of many to think that earth is the only planet with life can seem narrow-minded and even egotistical. I am often reminded of what Carl Sagan said, “saying there is no extraterrestrial life is like taking a spoonful of ocean water and saying there is no life in the ocean”.
I wanted to thank you for being the 10th man in this regard. Just because something is unlikely, does not mean that it is impossible. And just because it is unlikely, does not mean we should never consider it. For 3I/Atlas, it was accepted that we should have seen thousands of other interstellar objects before we saw one even near its size. But as we continue to expand our understanding of the universe and as we continue to expand our technology, we have seen more than in the past thousand years. Who’s to say we don’t see something impossible tomorrow?
It is scientists like yourself that are the true backbone of discovery. The ones who say IT IS POSSIBLE! You are the ones that inspire the future generations, inspire the ones who dream, inspire the ones who want to learn. I wanted to thank you for that. For being one who keeps dreams alive.
Thank you for all you do,
Kevin”
Letter 2
“Hello Avi
My name is Leeann Grew. I’m a stay-at-home carer for my son in the UK.
I just wanted to say that you have inspired me so much over the last couple of months.
I’ve got a new found love for space and an excitement for science that I’ve never had before in my life.
I love your honesty and passion for 3I/ATLAS.
You have 100% of my respect out of all the so-called professionals and experts.
Keep being you.
Regards, Leeann”
Letter 3
“Mr. Loeb, I just wanted to reach out to you and let you know I appreciate you and the work that you have done. Since 3I/Atlas was identified, it has captivated the worlds imagination and mine. It has shown us that space is weird and we don’t have all the answers.
Anytime I see an interview of yours, your smile and positivity are just so infectious. I appreciate your grounded thoughts and your willingness to dive into the unknown with an open mind.
When I read your book, “Extraterrestrial”, it activated a primal wonder in me that hasn’t gone away. I wish more people would have that wonder, but I also understand that our world can crush wonder and imagination quickly.
I know you are a busy man and the coming weeks are going to get even more crazy, but I just wanted to let you know the positive impact that you have on people like me.
Stay positive and full of wonder.”
Letter 4
“Dear Mr. Loeb,
I am writing to you from Spain. I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the courage you have shown in speaking publicly about the 3I/ATLAS matter.
I regularly follow your interviews on YouTube, and they stand out as a rare example of authenticity, which is increasingly uncommon on social media.
I am certain that if, instead of being 48 years old now, I were in my childhood or about to begin university, your example would strongly inspire me to pursue a career in scientific research.
Thank you very much for your work and dedication.
Please accept my warmest regards.
Sincerely,
Susana Martinez”
Letter 5
“Dear Professor Avi Loeb,
I am writing to you from São Paulo, Brazil, with great respect and admiration. I am an enthusiast of astrophysics, and I would like to express my deep gratitude for your courage and clarity in opening new paths within science.
Your willingness to broaden the discussion about the possibility that we are not alone in the universe inspires not only researchers, but also ordinary people around the world — like myself — who follow your ideas with hope and enthusiasm.
You have earned the admiration of thousands of people globally, and I want to make it clear that you have also earned mine. Your approach, combining scientific rigor with an open mind, contributes in an extraordinary way to the advancement of human knowledge.
Please accept my sincere thanks and recognition for your tireless work. May your research continue to illuminate the path for all of us who seek to understand our place in the cosmos.
With respect and admiration,
Marcelo Martins de Castro
São Paulo — Brazil”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Avi Loeb is the head of the Galileo Project, founding director of Harvard University’s — Black Hole Initiative, director of the Institute for Theory and Computation at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and the former chair of the astronomy department at Harvard University (2011–2020). He is a former member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and a former chair of the Board on Physics and Astronomy of the National Academies. He is the bestselling author of “Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth” and a co-author of the textbook “Life in the Cosmos”, both published in 2021. The paperback edition of his new book, titled “Interstellar”, was published in August 2024.
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