Edith Hejberg
Harvard University theoretical physicist Avi Loeb has raised alarms over a mysterious interstellar object currently passing through our solar system.
Known as 3I/ATLAS, the object was spotted on July 1 by a NASA-funded telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile. Classified as interstellar due to its hyperbolic orbital path, it’s confirmed to have originated beyond our solar system.
A Visitor From Beyond the Solar System
NASA has confirmed 3I/ATLAS poses no direct threat to Earth, with its closest approach being around 1.8 astronomical units, roughly 170 million miles.
However, its origin and unusual movement have sparked intense interest among astronomers worldwide. Its trajectory suggests it’s simply passing through, never to return.
Why Avi Loeb Believes It Could Be Alien Technology
Loeb, known for his controversial views on extraterrestrial life, suspects the object could be more than just a comet.
He notes it’s larger than typical comets and appears to emit light from its front rather than trailing a glowing tail, an anomaly that could hint at artificial origins.
Call for Global Preparedness
Speaking to NewNation, Loeb urged world leaders to treat the UFO phenomenon more seriously.
He proposed creating an international body to form policy responses to such events, pointing out that while humanity plans for threats like AI, climate change, and asteroid impacts, alien technology remains largely ignored in global policy discussions.
Intent Matters in an Encounter
Loeb likened the scenario to finding a visitor in your backyard, you can’t decide how to respond without knowing their intent.
He stressed that any reaction should depend on what the object is doing as it approaches, whether it’s merely passing by or deliberately heading toward us.
What Happens Next
According to NASA, 3I/ATLAS will remain visible to ground-based telescopes until September, before disappearing behind the Sun. By early December, it should re-emerge for renewed observations.
The agency explains its classification as interstellar comes from its speed and open-ended trajectory, proof it’s not bound to the Sun’s gravity and will eventually head back into deep space.
