A comet designated 3I/ATLAS, roughly the size of Manhattan, has reportedly executed an unexpected maneuver while nearing the Sun, igniting speculation regarding its potential as an extraterrestrial spacecraft. This behavior was highlighted in a recent blog entry by Avi Loeb, a scientist from Harvard University, who referenced findings from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) of NASA.
As 3I/ATLAS approached its closest point to the Sun, known as perihelion, it exhibited what Loeb characterized as “non-gravitational acceleration.” This phenomenon typically occurs due to the release of gas and dust when a comet”s ice vaporizes, resulting in a thrust effect commonly referred to as the “rocket effect.” However, Loeb pointed out that 3I/ATLAS displayed an acceleration much greater than what is generally expected.
According to JPL data, the comet followed two peculiar trajectories: one that appeared to pull it away from the Sun and another that shifted it sideways. Loeb speculated that such non-gravitational movements could indicate the presence of a technological propulsion system, suggesting that 3I/ATLAS might possess an internal engine. This idea was further supported by observations of the comet brightening significantly and changing to a bluer hue as it neared the Sun, which contrasts with the typical reddening of most comets.
The unusual color change may suggest the presence of ionized carbon monoxide or possibly point to a heated engine, though it could also indicate that the comet is losing a substantial amount of ice during its solar approach. “The non-gravitational acceleration could stem from either cometary evaporation or technological propulsion,” Loeb noted.
This incident marks what Loeb describes as the ninth anomaly observed in 3I/ATLAS, which is noted as the third interstellar object identified within our solar system. Other unusual features of this comet include an atypical anti-tail—an emission of particles directed towards the Sun rather than away from it—and its unusually close trajectory relative to other planets, including Jupiter, Venus, and Mars. Loeb proposed that these characteristics might imply that 3I/ATLAS is a reconnaissance probe possibly sent by an alien civilization.
