Massive Object Racing Towards Earth Could Be Alien Spaceship, Warns Harvard Scientist
The age-old question of whether humanity is alone in the universe has once again returned to the spotlight after the discovery of a mysterious, fast-moving object heading toward Earth. The celestial visitor, designated 3I/Atlas, has sparked a heated scientific debate, with one prominent Harvard professor suggesting it might be an alien spacecraft capable of saving or destroying our planet.
The object was first detected on July 1, 2025, and is currently hurtling through the inner solar system at an estimated 1,35,000 miles per hour, according to NASA. The agency says it will make its closest approach to the Sun on October 30, at a distance of roughly 130 million miles from Earth. While NASA insists there is no immediate threat, uncertainty over its nature has captured public attention.
Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb, known for his unconventional theories about extra-terrestrial life, believes 3I/Atlas could be more than just a comet or asteroid. Drawing parallels with Arthur C Clarke's sci-fi classic 'Rendezvous with Rama', in which a seemingly natural object is revealed to be an alien craft, Loeb said that the object might show signs of 'technical design". He warned that it might carry anything from a reconnaissance probe to a weapon.
'It can come to save us or destroy us," Loeb told reporters, adding that humanity must be prepared for both scenarios. 'We should ensure all alien objects are just rocks," he said. Loeb's calculations suggest the object could reach Earth between November 21 and December 5, 2025.
NASA estimates the body is between 20 and 24 kilometres in size, nearly 200 times larger than 'Oumuamua', the cigar-shaped interstellar object detected in 2017 that also stirred alien speculation. Due to its distance, scientists cannot yet determine its exact dimensions or composition.
While Loeb's statements have made headlines, not all experts are convinced. Oxford University astronomer Chris Lintott dismissed the alien theory outright, calling it 'complete nonsense" and warning that such claims undermine the serious scientific work being conducted on the object.
NASA and the European Space Agency currently classify 3I/Atlas as an outer solar system comet. Loeb concedes this is the most likely explanation, yet insists a 'slight possibility" remains that it is an artificial craft.
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