Amit Shathria

NASA administrators were very clear when they released these photos.

3I Atlas is not an alien life form, but it's still very worthy of attention, they said.

Here's NASA Administrator Amit Shathria at a press conference announcing the photos.

This is only the third object from another solar system that humans have been able to identify.

Katie Riddle, NPR News.

Comet 3I Atlas is only the third object we've seen come in from outside our solar system.

It was spotted thanks to more powerful telescopes, but it became famous thanks to much speculation that the comet could contain alien life.

At a press conference, NASA Administrator Amit Shathria dispelled such rumors, but he said he's glad so many people have been interested in this topic.

It expanded people's brains to think about how magical the universe could be.

And I'll tell you, here at NASA, we think that every day.

And so it's really great.

Shathria underscored that those at NASA do very much want to find signs of life in the universe and will continue working toward that goal.

Katie Riddle, NPR News.