The scientific community is abuzz with speculation as Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb has suggested that the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS might be alien technology, claiming a “40% chance” of this possibility. This controversial assertion has transitioned the discussion from mere scientific inquiry to urgent debate, highlighting the unique characteristics that set 3I/ATLAS apart from any natural celestial body previously observed.
In a series of interviews, Loeb elaborated on his reasoning for the 40% estimation, emphasizing that the accumulation of anomalies surrounding 3I/ATLAS renders a conventional natural explanation increasingly improbable. He advocates for a scientific approach that embraces probabilistic reasoning rather than dismissing the extraordinary possibility outright.
Scientific consensus largely leans towards viewing 3I/ATLAS as an unusually strange comet. However, Loeb argues that its chemical composition and trajectory warrant serious consideration of alternative explanations. The object has been observed releasing a plume of pure nickel gas, a phenomenon that deviates from the expected chemical pairing of nickel and iron, which are typically found together in the cosmos. Loeb stated, “There is only one place where that is known to exist and that is in industrially produced nickel alloys,” highlighting the significance of this finding.
Further complicating the narrative is the composition of the object”s gas plume, as data from the James Webb and SPHEREx telescopes indicate it consists of 95% carbon dioxide and only 5% water. This contradicts the common expectation of a comet, which would generally be rich in water ice. Additionally, 3I/ATLAS exhibits behavior atypical of comets; instead of possessing a conventional tail pushed by solar winds, it has been observed emitting a powerful jet of material directed towards the Sun.
The trajectory of 3I/ATLAS adds another layer of intrigue. Measuring approximately 5.6 kilometers in width and traveling at high speeds, its path is closely aligned with the ecliptic plane—the orbital flat disc of the solar system. Loeb argues that the statistical likelihood of a random interstellar object arriving on such a precisely tuned trajectory is exceedingly low. He posits that an advanced alien civilization would have intentionally targeted such a path to maximize observational opportunities of planetary systems.
Loeb further theorizes that 3I/ATLAS could be a “technological mothership,” potentially designed to deploy smaller probes during its journey, particularly during its recent close approach to Mars. This perspective, combined with its unusual characteristics, suggests that the object”s features may be the result of deliberate engineering rather than coincidence.
The current approach of 3I/ATLAS towards perihelion—its closest point to the Sun, expected around October 29—adds urgency to the investigation. This period will obscure the object from Earth-based telescopes due to the Sun”s glare, leading Loeb to view this as a suspiciously opportune moment for a potential technological maneuver. He speculates that this “blind spot” could allow a technological object to execute an “Oberth maneuver,” which involves using the Sun”s gravitational pull to adjust its speed.
While the prevailing view remains that 3I/ATLAS is a natural phenomenon, the questions surrounding its peculiarities continue to provoke thought and investigation. If the object re-emerges with altered trajectory or speed, Loeb asserts that his 40% estimate could increase significantly. As this enigmatic visitor approaches its moment of truth, the scientific community watches closely, eager to discern whether it will unveil new mysteries or validate existing theories.
