Kathrine Frich
A mysterious object sweeping through the Solar System has sparked intense debate among astronomers and space enthusiasts.
Its behaviour has raised questions that range from scientific uncertainty to speculation about extraterrestrial origins.
Elon Musk is among those voicing concern as researchers try to understand what the interstellar visitor really is.
Strange new arrival
According to reporting from the Daily Star, scientists have spent months analysing the object known as 3I/ATLAS.
Its unusual behaviour has left experts uncertain whether it is a comet, an asteroid or something far stranger.
Some astronomers propose that it is simply a comet travelling at high speed. Others, including theoretical physicist Avi Loeb, have suggested it could be an alien “mothership”.
UFO commentators have taken the debate further, calling it a potential attempt at first contact.
Musk raises alarms
During an appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Musk said 3I/ATLAS might be a rare natural body but added, “it could be alien, I don’t know”.
He warned that any deviation from its projected route could be dangerous.
Scientists expect the object to pass Earth on December 19 at a distance of about 170 million miles.
Musk urged space agencies to keep monitoring it, stressing the importance of detecting any change in its path.
He said that if it struck the planet it “would like obliterate a continent type of thing,” adding, “Maybe worse. Probably kill most of human life. If not all of us.”
Unusual behaviour
Astronomers with the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System first spotted the Manhattan-sized object in July.
Since then, its movements and properties have generated widespread speculation.
Researchers note that it is only the third confirmed interstellar visitor, following 1I/’Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019.
Some experts believe it may have been travelling alone for billions of years.
As it passed closest to the Sun on October 30, observers detected non-gravitational accelerations along with a radio signal linked to the object.
Growing debate
Professor Loeb said the anomalies suggest it “might” be some form of extraterrestrial spacecraft. He added that he may never fully rule out that possibility.
On his UFO scale, where zero represents known natural phenomena and ten indicates confirmed alien origin, he placed 3I/ATLAS at a two, calling it an object “meriting attention”.
Telescopes worldwide are now tracking its position while researchers debate its nature and potential risks.
First contact hopes
Documentary film-maker Mark Christopher Lee told the Daily Star that the timing of the flyby may be meaningful.
He said, “These are weird times and we’ve always looked to the stars for guidance, and we need guidance now in 2025.”
He suggested its approach near Christmas could be significant, adding:
“We could detect signals or course changes by December 19 to 25. They’re centralising contact authority just as the world watches.”
With scientific puzzles mounting and speculation escalating, 3I/ATLAS continues to draw attention as it moves toward its closest point to Earth.
Sources: Daily Star
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, who may have used AI in the preparation
