As the mysterious interstellar object known as 3I/ATLAS moves away from our solar system, a debate continues among scientists regarding its true nature. Some argue it is simply a comet, while others suggest it could be an advanced spacecraft conducting surveillance on Earth. Avi Loeb, a professor of astrophysics at Harvard University, stands firmly behind the latter theory, claiming that the object’s anomalies warrant serious consideration.
NASA officials maintain that 3I/ATLAS is a common comet, but Loeb believes there is more to this cosmic visitor. After initially appearing to soften his stance following the object’s closest approach to Earth on December 19, 2023, he has since reaffirmed his original hypothesis. “You can’t just say, ‘I know the answer’ and ignore the anomalies. That’s not viable,” he stated to reporters.
Loeb evaluates the object on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 denotes a natural comet and 10 signifies an active alien threat. He assigns 3I/ATLAS a score of 4, emphasizing that its behaviour is inconsistent with that of typical icy bodies.
The professor’s argument hinges on the object’s trajectory. Loeb notes that the flight path of 3I/ATLAS aligns within 5 degrees of the ecliptic plane, a feat with only a 0.2% chance of occurring by random chance. This precision has fueled speculation that the object may not be wandering aimlessly but could be on a mission of deliberate reconnaissance.
The size and mass of 3I/ATLAS also contribute to Loeb’s theories. With a nucleus approximately 5 km wide and over 33 billion tons, it is significantly more massive than previous interstellar visitors like ‘Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov. Additionally, its high velocity raises questions about its nature, as typical comets do not exhibit such behaviour.
Loeb’s assertions regarding the object’s potential purpose take on added weight when considering its relationship with Jupiter. He explains that for a probe to effectively monitor the gas giant, it would need to enter Jupiter’s Hill Radius, where the planet’s gravity dominates over that of the sun. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has calculated that during its closest approach in March 2024, 3I/ATLAS will pass a minimum distance of 53,445 million km from Jupiter.
The professor suggests that monitoring such a massive planet would be a logical target for an alien probe. He has urged the space defence sector to utilize the Juno spacecraft to investigate any potential objects deployed by 3I/ATLAS.
Loeb is particularly intrigued by the object’s non-gravitational acceleration. He posits that for a natural comet to reach its current speed, it would need to lose roughly 13% of its mass through evaporation—an activity that has not been visually confirmed by existing telescope data.
Chemical analysis of the gas plume surrounding the nucleus has revealed unusual metallic compositions, with a higher proportion of nickel compared to iron. This ratio mirrors the creation of nickel alloys in terrestrial manufacturing processes. Furthermore, the nickel-to-cyanide ratio found in the plume exceeds that documented in previous comet observations, prompting Loeb to suggest a potential technological origin for these materials.
Other anomalies further complicate the picture. The object features a 600,000-mile “anti-tail,” a jet that points toward the sun instead of away, which Loeb theorizes could act as a shield against solar particles. Notably, 3I/ATLAS’s trajectory also intersects with the direction of the Wow! signal, a mysterious radio transmission from 1977 that some believe may indicate extraterrestrial communication.
As 3I/ATLAS approaches its perihelion, it has exhibited brightness patterns faster than any known comet, along with a distinct blue hue. Loeb speculates that this could indicate the presence of a high-energy engine rather than mere sunlight reflection.
The International Asteroid Warning Network continues to monitor 3I/ATLAS, gathering data until January 27, 2026. Loeb warns that whether this object is a natural phenomenon or a potential “Trojan Horse” hiding advanced technology, the implications for humanity are significant.
Regardless of the outcome, Loeb remains optimistic, indicating that new observatories will likely discover similar interstellar objects every few months over the next decade. The scientific community watches closely as the mystery of 3I/ATLAS unfolds.
