Is 3I/ATLAS an alien probe? Harvard scientists spark debate on extraterrestrial life
3I/ATLAS
, is huge, about the size of Manhattan, and is moving toward Earth at an incredible speed. Some Harvard researchers think it might even be technology from another planet. This has led to discussions about the possibility of an alien encounter this November.
Researchers say that even though the study is just a thought experiment, the possible effects of such an encounter could be terrible for people.
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This interstellar traveler is moving faster than 60 kilometers per second and is between 10 and 20 kilometers wide. This makes people wonder if it could be more than just a rock in space.
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Could this thing really be technology from space?
The fact that Harvard astrophysicist
Avi Loeb
is involved with 3I/ATLAS is a big part of what makes it so interesting. Loeb has long said that we shouldn't rule out the possibility of
alien technology
. Loeb, Adam Hibberd, and Adam Crowl from the Initiative for Interstellar Studies in London wrote a paper together that said the object might not be natural, as per a report by WION News.
The scientists think that if 3I/ATLAS is a smart ship, its strange orbit might let it get close to Earth without being seen. The study also shows that the object's location near the Sun later this year could give it the chance to move quickly without being seen.
What makes November 2025 so important?
Scientists think that 3I/ATLAS will be closest to the Sun in late November 2025. It might be hard to find at that time because it could be out of sight of telescopes on Earth. This window has led to speculation that the object could try to sneak up on Earth if it is being controlled by intelligent beings
The
Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System
(ATLAS) telescope in Chile was the first to see the object, which added to the suspense, as per a report by WION News.
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What are scientists saying about the risks?
Even though the headlines are scary, the study's authors stress that their work is only a theory. They make it clear that they are not claiming that aliens are a direct threat, but that they are testing a theory. The study says that even though the idea may sound strange, it is worth looking into scientifically.
The team also says, though, that if the hypothesis were ever proven true, things could get very bad. People may have to think about ways to protect themselves, even though the researchers say that these efforts may not work against advanced technology in the end.
A scary but possible idea
Avi Loeb has caused a lot of talk about possible alien probes before. He famously said in 2017 that the
interstellar object
ʻOumuamua might have been an artificial spacecraft. Many astronomers disagreed with him, but his arguments got people talking about how people understand strange cosmic events.
The nature of 3I/ATLAS remains a mystery at this time. Scientists will keep a close eye on it as it speeds toward the inner solar system, whether it's just another cosmic rock or something much more advanced, as per a report by WION News.
FAQs
What is 3I/ATLAS?
ATLAS telescopes found it, and it could be alien technology. It's a huge object in space.
When might it be dangerous to Earth?
The object will come closest to Earth in late November 2025, according to scientists.
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