Kathrine Frich
Speculation about visitors from beyond Earth briefly captured global attention with the visit of 3I/Atlas
While scientists moved quickly to calm fears, the episode continued to fuel debate well after the headlines faded.
Now, an unexpected response from a US intelligence agency has added a new layer to a story many believed was already settled.
A comet sparks debate
The object known as 3I/ATLAS was first detected in July and later identified as an interstellar comet.
Despite scientific consensus, online speculation grew toward the end of 2025 that the object could be an alien reconnaissance probe.
NASA publicly dismissed those claims, stating the object was natural in origin. However, some researchers continued to question whether all possibilities had been fully explored.
Among them was Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, who argued that alien origins could not be entirely ruled out and suggested more information would emerge by the end of the year.
Unfulfilled predictions
Loeb previously told LADbible that evidence about the object’s true nature would surface by Christmas. That deadline passed without any revelations or signs of extraterrestrial activity.
Despite this, Loeb and others maintained that uncertainty remained.
They argued that rare interstellar objects deserved scrutiny beyond standard explanations, even if the likelihood of alien involvement was extremely low.
Public interest gradually faded, but the discussion continued within smaller scientific and UFO research communities.
CIA’s guarded reply
Renewed attention followed a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by UFO researcher John Greenewald Jr. to the CIA, asking whether the agency held records related to 3I/ATLAS.
In its response, the CIA stated it could “neither deny nor confirm the existence or nonexistence of records” concerning the object.
The agency added that “the fact of the existence or non-existence of such records is itself currently and properly classified.”
The wording prompted renewed speculation, despite the lack of new evidence.
Explaining the language
The phrase “neither confirm nor deny” is known as a Glomar response, a standard practice used by US authorities to avoid revealing sensitive information.
The term originates from a Cold War-era CIA project and is designed to prevent disclosures that could pose national security risks or trigger public alarm.
Commenting on the response, Loeb said it was “surprising” given NASA’s certainty about the object’s natural origin.
A caution against panic
Loeb later suggested that the CIA’s position was understandable, noting that confirming the existence of classified files could itself spark fears of a cover-up.
“This is a wise policy for mitigating societal unrest or instability of financial markets at a time when the reality of a black swan event is still regarded as highly unlikely,” he said.
For now, scientists maintain that 3I/ATLAS remains exactly what it appears to be, a comet passing briefly through the solar system.
Sources: NASA, CIA, LADbible, Medium
While scientists moved quickly to calm fears, the episode continued to fuel debate well after the headlines faded.
Now, an unexpected response from a US intelligence agency has added a new layer to a story many believed was already settled.
A comet sparks debate
The object known as 3I/ATLAS was first detected in July and later identified as an interstellar comet.
Despite scientific consensus, online speculation grew toward the end of 2025 that the object could be an alien reconnaissance probe.
NASA publicly dismissed those claims, stating the object was natural in origin. However, some researchers continued to question whether all possibilities had been fully explored.
Among them was Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, who argued that alien origins could not be entirely ruled out and suggested more information would emerge by the end of the year.
Unfulfilled predictions
Loeb previously told LADbible that evidence about the object’s true nature would surface by Christmas. That deadline passed without any revelations or signs of extraterrestrial activity.
Despite this, Loeb and others maintained that uncertainty remained.
They argued that rare interstellar objects deserved scrutiny beyond standard explanations, even if the likelihood of alien involvement was extremely low.
Public interest gradually faded, but the discussion continued within smaller scientific and UFO research communities.
CIA’s guarded reply
Renewed attention followed a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by UFO researcher John Greenewald Jr. to the CIA, asking whether the agency held records related to 3I/ATLAS.
In its response, the CIA stated it could “neither deny nor confirm the existence or nonexistence of records” concerning the object.
The agency added that “the fact of the existence or non-existence of such records is itself currently and properly classified.”
The wording prompted renewed speculation, despite the lack of new evidence.
Explaining the language
The phrase “neither confirm nor deny” is known as a Glomar response, a standard practice used by US authorities to avoid revealing sensitive information.
The term originates from a Cold War-era CIA project and is designed to prevent disclosures that could pose national security risks or trigger public alarm.
Commenting on the response, Loeb said it was “surprising” given NASA’s certainty about the object’s natural origin.
A caution against panic
Loeb later suggested that the CIA’s position was understandable, noting that confirming the existence of classified files could itself spark fears of a cover-up.
“This is a wise policy for mitigating societal unrest or instability of financial markets at a time when the reality of a black swan event is still regarded as highly unlikely,” he said.
For now, scientists maintain that 3I/ATLAS remains exactly what it appears to be, a comet passing briefly through the solar system.
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Sources: NASA, CIA, LADbible, Medium
