Renowned astrophysicist Avi Loeb from Harvard University has made a striking claim regarding the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. In a recent blog post, he argues that its enormous size and peculiar characteristics suggest it could be an alien spacecraft rather than a naturally occurring comet. Loeb emphasizes that the comet’s inferred mass exceeds 50 billion tonnes, making it at least a million times larger than the previously known interstellar object, 1I/Oumuamua.
Loeb details the improbability of such a massive object being a natural occurrence in interstellar space. He questions the circumstances surrounding the arrival of 3I/ATLAS, stating, “Why were we so fortunate to receive such a giant object as the third in the list of interstellar objects before witnessing a million objects of the size of 1I/Oumuamua?” He argues that the current amount of rocky material in interstellar space is insufficient to support the delivery of such a large icy rock to the inner solar system within the last decade.
In his analysis, Loeb proposes that the jets observed emanating from 3I/ATLAS could be indicative of technological thrusters. He explains that if this were the case, the necessary mass loss could be significantly lower than what would be required for a natural comet. “Chemical rockets are propelled by an exhaust speed of 3–5 kilometers per second, which is ten times larger than the maximum ejection speed of volatiles sublimated by sunlight from cometary surfaces,” he writes. He elaborates that ion thrusters could achieve even greater speeds, thus further reducing the required mass loss.
Loeb warns that if 3I/ATLAS does originate from an advanced civilization, it could lead to a globally significant “black swan event.” This term denotes a rare, unpredictable occurrence with profound implications. The comet’s extraordinary characteristics have raised eyebrows within the scientific community, and recent footage from Japan purportedly showing a “large vessel” near 3I/ATLAS has intensified speculation.
The notion of 3I/ATLAS being an artificial construct has ignited conspiracy theories, particularly with claims that NASA has increased its focus on planetary defense in response to the comet’s unusual features. Loeb, who leads the Galileo Project, has identified ten distinct traits of 3I/ATLAS that suggest it may not be a natural object. He underscores the urgency of remaining vigilant, stating, “Global agencies must stay alert and consider strategies to employ should the comet reveal an artificial origin.”
If Loeb’s assertions hold true, the implications could be staggering. He warns that humanity could face dire consequences if 3I/ATLAS is confirmed to be a product of a more technologically advanced civilization. The scientific community is closely monitoring developments surrounding this intriguing object as it continues its journey through our solar system.
