AllYouCanTech

NASA Unveils Fresh Images of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

Comet 3I/ATLAS is the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system, a cosmic rock first discovered by the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Chile on July 1, 2025. At this point, 12 NASA cameras have captured imagery of 3I/ATLAS as it’s traversed our solar system, but a brand-new batch of NASA photos — taken between late September and mid-October — expand on that catalog with some of the clearest and most detailed looks at the comet so far.

The images were taken by NASA’s sun-observing PUNCH satellites, the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission, and the Perseverance Rover on Mars. The photos mostly show 3I/ATLAS as an illuminated dot, but some also showcase the comet’s tail as a faint, elongated smudge. Non-U.S. cosmic cameras have taken photos of the comet, too, including the European Space Agency and Russia’s Federal Space Agency’s shared probe, the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter.

At this time, 3I/ATLAS isn’t visible to ground-based telescopes because of its proximity to the sun, but it’s expected to fly by Earth on December 19, at which point it should be viewable by the James Webb Space Telescope and ground tech like the W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii. Scientists and space enthusiasts are elated by comet 3I/ATLAS’s pilgrimage through the inner solar system. The only other confirmed objects to have visited from different areas of the galaxy were 1I/’Oumuamua in 2017 and comet 2I/Borisov in 2019 — the former of which helped NASA discover seven more dark comets.

Our solar system seldom gets interstellar visitors

3I/ATLAS’s emergence has stoked the extraterrestrial bonfire, with some folks thinking the comet could be a form of alien technology. But Nicky Fox, the associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, speaking to NBC, confirms that all observations thus far point toward nothing more than a rock in space. “We certainly haven’t seen any techno signatures or anything from it that would lead us to believe it was anything other than a comet.” Still, that doesn’t mean we can’t learn more about distant star systems from 3I/ATLAS, especially as it gets closer to Earth. “It could be from something that existed before our own solar system. That is so cool,” remarked Fox.

In the weeks ahead, scientists should be able to gather data on 3I/ATLAS’s chemical makeup, appearance, speed, and a potential place of origin. And if you’re wondering if comet 3I/ATLAS could be a threat to our planet, rest assured, the cosmic comet is expected to stay 170 million miles away as it flies by us.

Researchers have already speculated that comet 3I/ATLAS’s acceleration might not be caused by gravity, and we already know that 3I/ATLAS is rich in carbon dioxide. Here’s hoping we get to learn even more about this space-bound boulder when it rears its head again in mid-December.

Sam Altman Suggests OpenAI’s Growth into Space Exploration Beyond Mars

The Wall Street Journal – a development that could escalate the competition between Altman and Elon Musk. Nevertheless, Altman’s intentions do not necessarily align with Musk’s vision for his prominent rocket enterprise. While Musk has been creating reusable SpaceX rockets aimed at facilitating human journeys to Mars, Altman is said to have an interest in a distinct form of space exploration and settlement. A rocket venture managed by or associated with OpenAI would enable it to establish AI data centers in space, utilizing solar energy to power these facilities. Establishing AI data centers in space might ultimately become more cost-effective over time, as well as lessen the environmental impact on Earth.

As reported by WSJ, Altman struck up discussions regarding a space initiative with a startup known as Stoke Space, which is developing Nova — a reusable rocket. Stoke was established by former staff of Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ rocket venture — one of the primary rivals to Musk’s SpaceX. Y Combinator, a startup accelerator, has funded Stoke. The talks between Altman and Stoke commenced in the summer and resumed in the fall, yet did not culminate in a formal agreement. Altman aimed for OpenAI to either acquire a rocket firm or collaborate with one. One of the suggested arrangements involved the AI organization making a series of investments in Stoke, which would have provided OpenAI with a controlling interest. Ultimately, OpenAI was poised to invest billions in the startup.

Data Encryption in Proton Sheets: Guaranteeing Your Information Remains Protected

**What Occurs In Proton Sheets Remains In Proton Sheets: All Your Information Is Encrypted**

The Swiss software firm Proton has introduced a new end-to-end encrypted solution named Proton Sheets, expanding its emerging productivity suite. This spreadsheet application acts as an alternative to the popular Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, with a central emphasis on privacy and security. Proton Sheets guarantees that data within its documents is solely accessible to the account owner, preserving confidentiality even from Proton itself.

In today’s world, privacy is crucial, particularly with the swift progress in AI technology. As AI models demand extensive data sets for training, tools like Proton Sheets become vital in protecting sensitive information from third-party access, including AI models.

**What can Proton Sheets provide?**

Anant Vijay Singh, Head of Product at Proton Drive, highlighted Proton Sheets’ significance in reclaiming data sovereignty. Unlike Big Tech spreadsheet applications that might take advantage of user information, Proton Sheets presents a privacy-centric alternative, ensuring users’ data remains protected and free from surveillance.

Proton Sheets not only emphasizes security but also delivers an interface that is user-friendly and familiar to many. It facilitates collaboration, enabling teams to work concurrently on documents, with control over viewing and editing rights. Users can import CSV and XLS files, apply common Excel formulas, and generate charts, all while experiencing smooth functionality across different devices.

Proton Sheets is connected to Proton Drive, which also includes the secure Proton Docs word processor. Users can begin with a free account, with premium plans available for additional storage and features, starting at $3.99/month.

AI-Created Evidence More Frequently Utilized in Courtrooms: Present Perspectives

George R. R. Martin is taking legal action against ChatGPT for copyright violation. A novel concern regarding AI usage has emerged with its advent in legal settings.

A property disagreement escalated to the California judiciary in Mendones v. Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. A video was presented as purported witness evidence. Judge Victoria Kolakowski, however, sensed that something was awry with the footage. It was ultimately revealed that the video was a deepfake generated by AI. The term deepfake refers to AI-produced media that imitates an individual’s voice or likeness performing actions they did not actually undertake. In spite of the submitting party contending that it was the judge’s responsibility to demonstrate the video’s AI origin, the case was thrown out.

This incident has raised alarms within the legal framework as well as among citizens nationwide. While AI can be advantageous in legal proceedings, such as elucidating evidence or generating models for enhanced comprehension, it can also be employed for deceptive purposes. There are widespread fears that fabricated audio recordings, images, or videos could be used against individuals, and judges are apprehensive about AI deepfakes potentially leading to wrongful convictions.

Google Subtly Removes Overlooked Google Home Function

Reddit observed a few months back that the feature appeared to have disappeared from the app after recent updates. Recently, even more reports have been surfacing, with 9to5Google further confirming the removal of the feature by investigating the app.

Although the feature wasn’t particularly well recognized, it proved to be helpful. Some parents have mentioned that it was their main method of getting in touch with their kids at home, as it didn’t necessitate the presence of another device apart from their Google Home units. Some even utilized it to send out messages to their family across the house, simplifying the process of staying connected with everyone.

Samsung Poised to Address Ongoing Notification Problem on Galaxy Devices

One UI 8.5 feature leaks are emerging, and we’re gradually unveiling the details. A recent rumor suggests that Samsung is finally taking action regarding the frequent “advertisement” notification spam encountered from certain ads.

This issue has been a personal frustration for me since I transitioned to my Galaxy S25 Ultra earlier this year, and it’s something I certainly miss from my iPhone. Nevertheless, this recent leak from a source named Tarun Vats on X indicates that Samsung might enable Galaxy users to block applications that persistently bombard them with “excessive ads” through their notifications.

The forthcoming feature seems to be embedded within the Device care settings in One UI 8.5, and it’s aptly labeled “Block apps with excessive ads.” This feature clearly outlines its purpose, stating: “Apps that frequently send advertisement notifications will be placed in deep sleep mode to avoid disturbing you.”

Meta Employs Apple’s Leading Design Executive in an Unexpected Shift

Bloomberg reports that Meta has successfully attracted Alan Dye, the leading design executive from Apple. Initially a designer of iPhone packaging, Dye ascended through the company to become the VP of Human Interface Design. Since 2015, Dye has contributed to the design of every software feature across the entire array of Apple’s products. Starting in 2026, he will step into the role of Chief Design Officer at Meta, where he will influence the user interface of Meta’s continuously expanding range of hardware and software offerings. Additionally, Billy Sorrentino, who previously held the position of Senior Director within Apple’s design team, will also be joining Meta.

It is widely recognized that Meta has been actively recruiting Apple engineers and researchers in recent months, mainly to bolster its AI division. However, the recruitment of Dye, a senior executive renowned for his crucial and prominent influence on Apple customers’ software interactions, marks a significantly daring move. Although it is not uncommon for top Apple executives to depart, this particular case of a leading Apple executive transitioning to a competing tech firm is quite unusual.

With Dye’s departure, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that Steve Lemay will assume Dye’s former role: “Steve Lemay has been instrumental in designing every significant Apple interface since 1999. He consistently sets an incredibly high standard for excellence and exemplifies Apple’s ethos of collaboration and creativity.”

Grasping the Occurrence of a Supermoon

A supermoon is a breathtaking lunar spectacle that graces the sky every few months, and it’s among my top natural wonders. In basic terms, a supermoon occurs when the full moon aligns with its nearest position to Earth in its orbit — a phase known to astronomers as perigee. During this event, the moon can present itself up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than when it’s at its farthest distance (apogee). To the unaided eye, that variation may not seem significant, but it’s sufficient to make the moon look incredibly vivid against the night sky. Supermoons are not particularly uncommon, yet they are still events to look out for. They usually attract photographers, stargazers, and anyone who enjoys witnessing the universe at its most vibrant.

Depending on your location, they can even transform your nighttime scenery to resemble daylight. Supermoons emit a natural luminosity that’s perfect for a quick photo opportunity or an evening stroll. Astronomers generally categorize several full moons each year as “super,” but just one or two are particularly close to Earth. While they do not induce remarkable physical effects, they act as a reminder of how dynamic and vibrant our solar system truly is. Therefore, the next time you hear about a supermoon brightening the sky, it’s not merely sensationalism; it’s the cosmos offering you a front-row view to one of the most brilliant lunar displays.

The optimal way to experience a supermoon does not necessitate a special telescope (the James Webb Space Telescope would be excessive) or any specific equipment. You simply need to be in a place with clear skies at the right moment. Since a supermoon is fundamentally a full moon at its closest point to Earth, it rises around sunset and sets around sunrise, providing ample time to appreciate the lunar spectacle. The prime moment to observe a supermoon is just after moonrise, when it is still low on the horizon. That’s when the “moon illusion” comes into play, making it appear even larger and more striking as it floats just above the landscape. If you’re aiming to capture a photo, seek out a location without light pollution hindering the skies, like a park, a beach, or a hill on the outskirts of the city. I reside in the Los Angeles area and enjoy venturing to the desert to photograph the supermoon. The darker your environment, the more radiant and sharp the moon will seem.

You can utilize a smartphone camera, but switch to night mode or employ a tripod to prevent motion blur for optimal results. If you have binoculars or a zoom lens, you’ll be able to see surface features like craters and the lunar maria (the darker plains) up close. The weather significantly influences the ability to view a supermoon. Check your local forecast or an astronomy application for viewing conditions, as even a thin veil of clouds can diminish the effect. If you want to delve deeper, set up an Astroberry server with an extra Raspberry Pi. Ultimately, witnessing a supermoon is all about timing and patience. When everything comes together, it ranks as one of my favorite awe-inspiring celestial events you can easily observe from your backyard. The next supermoon will rise on December 4th, so prepare yourself!