The interstellar object 3I/ATLAS has intrigued astronomers by seemingly confirming a key aspect of Albert Einstein“s theory of general relativity. As this object approached the Sun, scientists observed that the gravitational pull of the Sun bent the light emitted by 3I/ATLAS, a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing. This effect was first predicted by Einstein in his 1915 theory.
Reports from experts, including Avi Loeb of Harvard University, indicate that 3I/ATLAS exhibited a shift in its apparent position of about four arcseconds, surpassing the initial expectation of 0.27 arcseconds. To put this into perspective, one arcsecond represents 1/3600 of a degree, comparable to spotting a dime from a distance of 2.5 miles.
Einstein”s theory posits that massive celestial bodies like the Sun distort the fabric of space-time, resulting in light bending around them. While gravitational lensing has been documented around stars and galaxies, the event involving 3I/ATLAS provided a rare opportunity to observe this effect in a moving interstellar object within our solar system.
The confirmation of Einstein”s prediction raises additional inquiries about 3I/ATLAS. As the object made its closest approach to the Sun, the gravitational lensing effect aligned with Einstein”s theories. However, the actual deviation was notably larger than expected, leading to questions about what 3I/ATLAS truly is.
Loeb has been particularly vocal about the peculiar characteristics of 3I/ATLAS. He pointed out that, for the object to conform to the conventional definition of a comet, it would need to have released approximately 15 percent of its mass in gas during its perihelion, equating to about five billion tons. This release would have generated a significant cloud of gas and dust around it.
Loeb further noted distinctive changes in brightness and color as 3I/ATLAS neared its closest point to the Sun on October 29. He observed that it appeared significantly bluer than the Sun, contrasting with typical comets that generally display a red hue due to their interaction with sunlight.
These anomalies challenge the established understanding of what constitutes a comet and suggest that 3I/ATLAS might not be a natural celestial object. The ongoing study of this interstellar visitor could provide further insights into its nature and the dynamics of our solar system.
