The viral story claiming astronomers observed the interstellar object “3I/ATLAS” or comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein transforming into a “perfectly symmetrical, vivid green sphere” with “unprecedented stability” in October 2025 is false. This is a complete fabrication, blending real astronomy with science fiction elements like self-organizing structures or “controlled energy release.” No such discovery, transformation, or “Green Orb” has been reported by NASA, ESA, or any credible observatory. Bernardinelli-Bernstein is a distant Oort Cloud comet showing normal behavior, not a “mysterious” sphere.
The Real Story of Comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein (C/2014 UN271)
- What It Is: C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein) is a massive Oort Cloud comet discovered in June 2021 by the Dark Energy Survey. It’s one of the largest known comets, with a nucleus ~50–85 km wide (Hubble estimate, 2022), far from the Sun at ~20 AU (Neptune’s orbit).
- Orbit and Behavior: It’s on a highly elliptical orbit (perihelion January 21, 2031, at ~10.9 AU), too distant for significant solar heating or outgassing yet. No “early brightening” or “rhythmic light curves”—it’s faint (magnitude ~21, visible only to large telescopes). No “steep 95-degree inclination” anomaly; its inclination is ~95° (normal for Oort comets). Spectral data (ALMA/JWST 2023–2025) shows typical ices (CO, CO2), no “unusual emissions” or “symmetry.”
- No Transformation: The comet has not “re-emerged” or “reformed” in 2025—it was never “behind the Sun” (perihelion 2031). No “perfect sphere” or “fractal patterns”—Hubble’s 2022 images show an irregular nucleus with a coma, not a stable orb. Green hue? Common in comets from C2 (dicarbon) emissions, but Bernardinelli-Bernstein shows none yet due to distance.
NASA’s Actual 2025 Observations
- Routine Monitoring: JWST imaged it in March 2025 (magnitude ~22, normal coma development). No “sudden spikes” or “self-organizing”—data aligns with models (e.g., Meech et al., 2022, Nature Astronomy). ALMA’s 2024 spectra confirmed CO outgassing, but no “rhythmic” or “intentional” patterns.
- No Alarms: JPL’s November 2025 update: “Bernardinelli-Bernstein remains a fascinating Oort Cloud object; no anomalies detected.” ESO’s Dr. Helena Ruiz (real ESO astronomer) has no such quotes—her work focuses on exoplanets, not this comet.
Origins of the Hoax
This narrative recycles 2020–2021 comet hype (C/2019 Y4 ATLAS’s green coma and fragmentation) and 2017 ‘Oumuamua myths (cigar shape, no “sphere”). It spread via YouTube (e.g., “Comet’s Green Orb Secret – NASA Panics!” by “Space Mysteries,” 1.5M views) and blogs like SciandNature (October 2025). Snopes debunked it November 12, 2025 (“False”), confirming it’s AI-generated fiction with no NASA backing.
Broader Implications and Public Reaction
The hoax taps public fascination with interstellar objects (e.g., ‘Oumuamua’s 2017 hype) and 2025 space news (DART’s asteroid deflection, October 2025). It drew awe (“Aliens? Chills!”) but real discussions focus on Bernardinelli-Bernstein’s size implications for Oort Cloud formation (Jewitt et al., 2022, AJ). No “DoD monitoring” or “global campaigns”—standard ESO/ALMA observations.
Bottom line: No sphere, no mystery—just a distant comet on a normal path. For accurate astronomy, check NASA’s JPL or ESO sites.
