Scientists report the first direct detection of methane in the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS and estimate its nucleus at 2.6 km wide, according to new arXiv preprints. The findings come from December observations by the James Webb and Hubble space telescopes as the comet moves out of the inner solar system. NASA and ESA tracked the object after its discovery in July 2025. Further data from ESA’s Juice mission are expected in February.

NOAA reported an X8.1-class solar flare from active region 4366, the strongest of four major flares detected by NASA between Feb. 1 and early Feb. 2. Forecasters raised the risk of radio blackouts and expect a minor solar radiation storm on Feb. 2. Most ejected material is projected to miss Earth, with only minor effects possible late Feb. 5 UTC. No significant geomagnetic storm is expected.