Kathrine Frich
Strange objects from deep space have long fueled speculation, conspiracy theories and bold claims.
When science and politics collide over such mysteries, the result often draws attention far beyond the research community.
That was the case this month as a newly observed interstellar visitor passed through the solar system.
Object under scrutiny
The object known as 3I/ATLAS has been closely monitored by astronomers after entering the solar system earlier this year.
It made its closest approach to Earth on December 19, traveling at roughly 153,000 miles per hour and passing about 210 million kilometers away.
Scientists say it is only the third confirmed object from outside the solar system to be detected, following ‘Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019.
After briefly disappearing behind the Sun in October and November, it re-emerged and is now moving away, with expectations it will exit the solar system by early 2026.
A political quip
During his annual press conference on December 19,
Russian President Vladimir Putin was asked whether 3I/ATLAS could be a spacecraft.
According to TASS, he responded jokingly: “I will let you in on something, but it must stay between us because it’s classified information. This is our secret weapon, but we will only use it as a last resort.”
The comment prompted laughter in the room.
Putin then added a more serious assessment, saying the object posed no danger to Earth. “It’s a comet, and it doesn’t pose a threat to Earth,” he said.
Scientific consensus
NASA has repeatedly said there is no evidence suggesting 3I/ATLAS harbors alien technology.
Lead NASA scientist Tom Statler said the object behaves like a comet in nearly every observable way.
“It looks like a comet. It does comet things,” Statler said, adding that while some properties differ slightly from comets originating in the solar system, the evidence “overwhelmingly” points to a natural origin.
NASA officials have stressed that tracking the object is a matter of scientific interest rather than planetary defense.
Dissenting voices
Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb has raised questions about the object’s dust-to-gas ratios, arguing that some anomalies remain unexplained.
“Being honest about what we do not know would motivate us to seek answers,” he said in recent commentary.
Despite those remarks, Loeb has not provided evidence contradicting NASA’s conclusion.
Space agencies say 3I/ATLAS remains far enough away to pose no risk.
While it has reignited public fascination with extraterrestrial possibilities, researchers maintain it is best understood as a rare but natural interstellar comet.
Sources: NASA, TASS, Sky News, AFP, Ladbible.
