A comet the size of Manhattan, known as 31/ATLAS, could play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of potential threats from asteroids, according to scientists. This interstellar object has garnered attention not only for its size but also for claims regarding its nature, including suggestions that it could be linked to hostile extraterrestrial technology.
As remnants from the formation of our solar system drift silently through space, asteroids pose a significant risk to Earth. While most disintegrate harmlessly in our atmosphere, even a single large asteroid has the potential to cause destruction on a massive scale, comparable to the force of thousands of nuclear weapons. Scientists globally are engaged in monitoring these celestial bodies to prepare for any future encounters.
The International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) has announced plans to conduct a “comet campaign” from November 27, 2025, to January 27, 2026, coinciding with 31/ATLAS”s departure from our solar system. This initiative aims to enhance techniques for tracking the comet and other hazardous objects, as detailed by Space.com. The coalition of global space experts will not only predict the comet”s orbit but will also host workshops focused on accurate comet astrometry, which involves measuring a comet”s position without altering its appearance.
Given that comets are often obscured by their tails and comas—clouds of gas and dust that form around their solid cores as they approach the Sun—predicting their trajectories can be challenging. However, 31/ATLAS is currently at a distance that allows for telescopic observation, approximately 1.8 times the distance from the Sun to Earth. The IAWN encourages citizen scientists to join these monitoring efforts, provided they register by November 7.
Despite NASA“s official position stating that 31/ATLAS does not pose a threat to Earth, monitoring such celestial bodies remains a priority due to the inherent dangers they represent. This stance contrasts with views from Dr. Avi Loeb, a Harvard astrophysicist who has been observing 31/ATLAS since its discovery in July. He has noted several anomalous features that challenge typical comet behavior, leading him to speculate about its possible extraterrestrial origins.
Among the unusual characteristics Dr. Loeb identified are an “anti-tail,” which emits particles toward the Sun rather than away from it, and a consistent release of four grams of nickel per second without any accompanying iron, an atypical trait for comets. He has expressed concerns regarding the object”s trajectory and non-gravitational acceleration, which could bring it dangerously close to planets like Jupiter, Venus, and Mars. These observations have prompted Dr. Loeb to suggest that 31/ATLAS might be an alien probe sent to gather information about Earth.
Dr. Loeb stated, “The hypothesis in question is that 31/ATLAS is a technological artifact, and furthermore has active intelligence. If this is the case, then two possibilities follow. First, that its intentions are entirely benign and second, they are malign.”
