Several science roundups this week spotlight Comet 3I/ATLAS as it makes its closest pass by Earth and then heads back out toward the outer solar system, ending a rare chance to study an interstellar visitor up close. The same coverage also highlights fresh James Webb Space Telescope observations of what researchers describe as a “runaway” supermassive black hole moving through an interacting galaxy system, a find that could help astronomers test ideas about how giant black holes can be displaced. Overall, the theme is a cheerful one for skywatchers and researchers alike: fleeting cosmic events are delivering new data and new puzzles at the same time.

Highlights:

• Farewell viewing: Discover Magazine framed Dec. 19, 2025 as a practical “goodbye” moment for observers, emphasizing that 3I/ATLAS’ closest Earth passage is a time-limited opportunity before it fades on its outbound path.
• X-ray look: A Google News digest linked to coverage describing new X-ray images of 3I/ATLAS taken around its closest approach, adding a higher-energy window into the object’s behavior as it passes through the inner solar system.
• Speedy suspect: Reporting summarized in Futurism says the candidate runaway supermassive black hole is estimated at roughly 10 million solar masses and is associated with the “Cosmic Owl” interacting galaxies about eight billion light-years away.
• Starry aftermath: The same account describes a galaxy-scale bow-shock ahead of the object and a long tail of gas behind it where stars appear to be forming, pointing to a possible link between extreme dynamics and triggered star formation.
• Math milestone: Live Science’s weekly roundup also highlights AI systems reported to have solved “impossible” math problems, underscoring how computational tools are increasingly joining telescopes as headline-making scientific instruments.

It boggles the mind! - Pieter van Dokkum

Perspectives:

• Astronomy writers and editors (Discover Magazine): They emphasize the public-facing angle: 3I/ATLAS’ close passage is a brief, learn-while-you-can moment for observers before it recedes into the outer solar system. (Discover Magazine)
• JWST-focused reporters (Futurism): They frame the candidate runaway black hole as an unusual, potentially record-setting event that could expand how astronomers think about supermassive black holes getting dislodged from galactic centers. (Futurism)
• Science roundup editors (ScienceAlert): They present the week’s stories as a broad set of developments—interstellar comet updates alongside JWST black-hole findings—highlighting how multiple fields are advancing in parallel. (ScienceAlert)

Sources:

• Science news this week: Japan laser weapon trial, comet 3I/ATLAS bids farewell, and AI solves 'impossible' math problems - livescience.com
• This Week in Science: 3I/ATLAS Passes Earth, a Runaway Black Hole, And More! - sciencealert.com
• Science news this week: Japan laser weapon trial, comet 3I/ATLAS bids farewell, and AI solves 'impossible' math problems - Live Science - google.com
• Saying Goodbye to Comet 3I/ATLAS, the Interstellar Visitor That Briefly Called Our Solar System Home - discovermagazine.com
• James Webb Spots First Ever Supermassive Black Hole to Be Yeeted Out of Its Home Galaxy - futurism.com