NASA criticised for replying to Kim Kardashian while withholding 3I/ATLAS interstellar data

NASA is under growing scrutiny from lawmakers and scientists for not releasing recent data on interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, despite publicly replying to a social media post from Kim Kardashian about the same object. Critics argue that the agency’s communication priorities raise questions about transparency and research access.

3I/ATLAS, the third confirmed interstellar object to enter the solar system, has drawn scientific attention for its unusual behaviour. The object brightened and shifted to a deep blue hue after passing close to the Sun on October 29. Astronomers also observed “non-gravitational acceleration,” indicating movement that cannot be explained by gravity alone.

Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb suggested there is a “40% chance” the object could be of artificial origin rather than a natural comet, and that it might have transmitted a signal to Earth in 1977.

Loeb has criticised NASA for, in his view, prioritising “celebrity commentary” over scientific inquiry. “My complaint is there was an immediate response to [Kim Kardashian] but no response to us,” he told NewsNation.

On social media, acting NASA chief Sean Duffy assured the public that “there are no aliens and no threat to life on Earth.” Meanwhile, U.S. Representative Anna Paulina Luna has formally requested that NASA share data and direct the Juno spacecraft to gather radio and visual observations of 3I/ATLAS.

A UN-backed planetary defence group has also announced it will focus its monitoring systems on the fast-moving object to improve early detection of deep-space visitors.

As speculation continues, scientists and officials alike are calling for NASA to publish updated measurements and imagery to clarify 3I/ATLAS’s true nature.