Dr. Drew mentioned in the story is a biophysicist [ biophysics is an interdisciplinary science that applies approaches and methods traditionally used in physics to study biological phenomena ], meaning he has no credibility when it comes to things in astronomy.
Further, the amateur astronomer sited used the wrong sort of telescope and the wrong sort of filter.
See link below for numerous current articles on the Object.
3I/ATLAS
https://i3atlas.com/
“Further, the amateur astronomer sited used the wrong sort of telescope and the wrong sort of filter.”
Bingo. No reputable scientist would draw any conclusion whatsoever from that photo regarding the shape or composition of that object.
Just as the color of a light shined on an object can completely change its apparent color, the lens aperture, filters and focal length can completely distort an object’s apparent shape.