Mystery object zooming towards Sun may be ‘hostile alien probe' – but experts brand Harvard prof's claims as ‘nonsense'
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THE mysterious interstellar object blazing through our solar system could be a piece of "possibly hostile" alien technology, according to a controversial new study.
The research, from a small group of scientists including a renowned alien-hunting Harvard University astronomer, argues that object 3I/ATLAS is actually an extraterrestrial probe in disguise.
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An artist's impression of interstellar object ʻOumuamua
Credit: ESA
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On 1 July, astronomers spotted a highly unusual object zooming towards our Sun at roughly 245,000 kilometres per hour - or 68km a second.
With a "short tail" and a "fuzziness" around it, astronomers declared it an icy comet - and the fastest rock our solar system has ever seen.
Judging by its bizarre orbit, experts determined that the super-fast space traveller had come from outside our solar system.
That would make it the third interstellar object to pass Earth on record, following the rare visits of the famous 1I/ʻOumuamua asteroid in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019.
But Harvard astrophysics professor Avi Loeb and his colleagues suggest it could be something more advanced than an interstellar rock.
"In this paper we present additional analysis into the astrodynamics of 3I/ATLAS, and hypothesise that this object could be technological," they write in their paper.
The study, which has not yet been peer reviewed, added that the technology could even be "possibly hostile".
Loeb and his colleagues say this would "be expected from the 'Dark Forest' resolution to the 'Fermi Paradox'" - a theory that alien civilisations exist throughout the universe but are both silent and hostile.
'Dark Forest' theorists believe aliens remain hidden for fear of being destroyed by other intelligent lifeforms.
It is one of many possible explanations of the Fermi Paradox, which aims to answer why humans have not yet found alien life.
Why We Haven't Met Aliens Yet: 9 Theories
Loeb is a controversial figure among astronomers and astrophysicists, having previously suggested that interstellar object 1I/ʻOumuamua may have also been an alien craft in 2017.
Now 3I/ATLAS is showing signs it could be of alien origin as well, according to Loeb.
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The object's orbit, for example, brings it suspiciously close to Venus, Mars and Jupiter, Loeb writes in his study
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
The object's orbit, for example, brings it suspiciously close to Venus, Mars and Jupiter, Loeb writes in his study.
Yet separate experts told Live Science that the new claims are "nonsense" and "insulting."
They insist that the available evidence points toward the object being completely natural.
What's the difference between an asteroid, meteor and comet?
Here's what you need to know, according to Nasa... Asteroid: An asteroid is a small rocky body that orbits the Sun. Most are found in the asteroid belt (between Mars and Jupiter) but they can be found anywhere (including in a path that can impact Earth)
An asteroid is a small rocky body that orbits the Sun. Most are found in the asteroid belt (between Mars and Jupiter) but they can be found anywhere (including in a path that can impact Earth) Meteoroid: When two asteroids hit each other, the small chunks that break off are called meteoroids
When two asteroids hit each other, the small chunks that break off are called meteoroids Meteor: If a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere, it begins to vapourise and then becomes a meteor. On Earth, it'll look like a streak of light in the sky, because the rock is burning up
If a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere, it begins to vapourise and then becomes a meteor. On Earth, it'll look like a streak of light in the sky, because the rock is burning up Meteorite: If a meteoroid doesn't vapourise completely and survives the trip through Earth's atmosphere, it can land on the Earth. At that point, it becomes a meteorite
If a meteoroid doesn't vapourise completely and survives the trip through Earth's atmosphere, it can land on the Earth. At that point, it becomes a meteorite Comet: Like asteroids, a comet orbits the Sun. However rather than being made mostly of rock, a comet contains lots of ice and gas, which can result in amazing tails forming behind them (thanks to the ice and dust vaporizing)
If it is natural like most researchers say, then 3I/ATLAS appears to be a comet older than our solar system - a whopping 7.6billion years old.
The space rock is estimated to be up to 20km in size.
Its current trajectory suggests it came from the Milky Way's 'thick disk' – a field of ancient stars.
No comet from that region has ever graced Earth with a flyby, according to astronomers.
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'Dark Forest' theorists believe aliens remain hidden for fear of being destroyed by other intelligent lifeforms
Credit: Alamy
To figure out whether 3I/ATLAS really is an alien probe - similar to Earth's Voyager 1 and 2 - scientists will have to continue monitoring it.
Radio waves coming from the object would be strong evidence that the object is of alien origin - assuming the probe was still in working order.
Any signs of manoeuvring or propulsion would also be a good indicator that it's more than cosmic debris.
Plus, if it were to approach to Earth - a rare planet in the grand schemes of the universe - in a stable orbit.
Our planet, with its water, healthy atmosphere, strong magnetic field and life, would be of great interest to other intelligent life.
But for now, evidence mostly points towards 3I/ATLAS being an ancient, icy and speedy comet.
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An artist's impression shows the first-known interstellar object to visit the solar system, 'Oumuamua, which was discovered on 19 October, 2017
Credit: Reuters
All you need to know about planets in our solar system
Our solar system is made up of nine planets with Earth the third closest to the Sun. But each planet has its own quirks, so find out more about them all... How old is Earth? Plus other facts on our planet
How many moons does Mercury have?
What colour is Venus?
How far away is Mars to Earth? And other facts on the red planet
How big is Jupiter?
How many moons does Saturn have?
Does Uranus have rings?
How many moons does Neptune have?
How big is Pluto?
How hot is the Sun?
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