Latest news with #Oumuamua
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
Interstellar comet or alien tech: Is 3I/ATLAS dropping gadgets near other planets? Here's what a Harvard astronomer says
Space is full of mysteries that have not even been discovered so far, and every year, astronomers come across numerous new objects drifting through the vastness of the universe. Be it distant exoplanets with strange atmospheres or fast-moving asteroids that zip past Earth without warning, each of these comes as a surprise to us. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This time, a mysterious object from beyond our solar system, 3I/ATLAS, has ignited a new wave of excitement about the possibility of alien life in space. Since its discovery on July 1, 2025, the interstellar visitor has intrigued astronomers with its high speed and unusual trajectory. Some researchers believe it may be one of the oldest comets ever observed, while a small group, including Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb, from UK's Initiative for Interstellar Studies in a preprint uploaded to arXiv on July 16, 2025. This paper has controversially suggested it could be a piece of extraterrestrial technology sent by an advanced civilization. Does extra-terrestrial civilisation remain elusive? Loeb, who also leads the Galileo Project, an initiative dedicated to finding signs of alien life, described the theory as a 'pedagogical exercise,' meant more as a thought experiment than a confirmed claim. He wrote in a blog post that if 3I/ATLAS were a 'technological artifact,' it might support the dark forest hypothesis, which suggests extraterrestrial civilizations remain silent to avoid detection by potential threats. 'The consequences, should the hypothesis turn out to be correct, could potentially be dire for humanity,' he warned. However, scientists strongly disagree. According to Darryl Seligman, an astronomer at Michigan State University, 'There have been numerous telescopic observations of 3I/ATLAS suggesting that it's displaying classical signatures of cometary activity,' as reported by Live Science. Samantha Lawler, an astronomer at the University of Regina, added that 3I/ATLAS is most likely 'an ordinary comet that was ejected from another solar system. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now ' NASA has confirmed the discovery of a new interstellar comet, 3I/ATLAS, speeding through our solar system. Spotted by a telescope in Hawaii, the object is likely the biggest yet. It will pass near Mars in October and offers scientists a rare look at materials from another star system. What sets this comet apart from others of its type? The object, traveling at over 2,10,000 km/h, appears to be a massive comet with a coma or an envelope of gas and dust stretching up to 24 km, according to the International Gemini Observatory. Astronomers believe it could be as much as 3 billion years older than our solar system. The paper's authors point to 3I/ATLAS's strange trajectory and speed, noting it entered the solar system from a different angle than previous interstellar visitors like 'Oumuamua or Comet Borisov. Loeb also speculated that the object could avoid detection when closest to the Sun in October by staying hidden on the far side, suggesting it may be dropping off alien 'gadgets' near other planets. Despite Loeb admitting that the alien theory is a long shot, many experts have criticized the speculation. Chris Lintott of the University of Oxford called it 'nonsense on stilts,' saying, 'It's an insult to the exciting work going on to understand this object,' as quoted by Live Science.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Economic Times
Baba Vanga was right? Scientists claim alien ship larger than Manhattan, moving at 1.3 lakh mph, to attack Earth this Nov
TIL Creatives AI-generated image for representation only Legendary Bulgarian mystic Baba Vanga had reportedly predicted that humanity would make contact with aliens in 2025. But recent scientific claims suggest that contact may come sooner — and far more hostile. According to a report published on July 16 on the preprint server arXiv and cited by the New York Post and South West News Service, a team of scientists has warned that an alien spacecraft may be heading toward Earth — potentially launching an attack as early as this November. The object in question, named 3I/ATLAS, was first detected on July 1 and is racing toward the Sun at over 130,000 miles per hour. Just a day after its discovery, astronomers confirmed that it originated from outside our solar system. Initial observations suggested it might be a comet, roughly 15 miles in diameter — making it even larger than Manhattan. However, in their paper, researchers Avi Loeb, Adam Hibberd, and Adam Crowl from the Initiative for Interstellar Studies propose that 3I/ATLAS might not be a natural object at all, but rather a piece of extraterrestrial spy technology in disguise. Loeb, a Harvard astrophysicist known for his controversial theory that the 2017 object `Oumuamua could have been an alien reconnaissance probe, argues that 3I/ATLAS displays several unusual characteristics — including a unique trajectory and exceptionally high speed. These anomalies, he suggests, could point to an intelligent origin. In a blog post, Loeb noted that the object's path through the solar system allows it to pass close to Jupiter, Mars, and Venus — an ideal opportunity, he says, for aliens to covertly deploy surveillance 'gadgets' on these planets. What's more concerning is that when 3I/ATLAS reaches its closest point to the Sun (perihelion) in late November, it will temporarily vanish from Earth's view. Loeb suggests this may be a deliberate move to avoid detection by Earth-based telescopes — possibly the moment when alien technology could be dispatched toward our planet. If 3I/ATLAS is indeed a technological artifact, it may support the "dark forest hypothesis" — the idea that intelligent alien civilizations stay hidden to avoid detection by potential threats. Loeb warns that this situation might not just be surveillance, but a precursor to a potential alien attack, urging that "defensive measures" may need to be considered. Whether this object turns out to be a comet or a cosmic Trojan horse, the scientific world — and the public — will be watching closely as November approaches.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Economic Times
‘Is it a comet, a probe, or something else?' Meet 3I/ATLAS, the strange interstellar object baffling everyone
AP This diagram provided by NASA/JPL-Caltech shows the trajectory of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passes through the solar system. (NASA/JPL-Caltech via AP) A mysterious interstellar object, named 3I/ATLAS, is hurtling toward the Sun at over 130,000 mph, and scientists can't agree on what exactly it on July 1, 3I/ATLAS is the third known interstellar visitor to enter our solar system, following 2017's Oumuamua and 2019's Borisov. It measures about 15 miles wide, making it larger than Manhattan. While some astronomers suggest it's a comet made of water ice and organic compounds like silicates—similar to asteroids found in the outer regions of the solar system's main belt—others aren't convinced it's natural at all. — UAPWatchers (@UAPWatchers) Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, known for his bold theories about extraterrestrial intelligence, has again stirred debate. Along with researchers Adam Hibberd and Adam Crowl from the Initiative for Interstellar Studies, Loeb has proposed that 3I/ATLAS may be an alien probe, pointing to its unusual trajectory and exceptionally high speed, even greater than ?Oumuamua's. The team speculates that such characteristics could offer "advantages to extraterrestrial intelligence," suggesting the object's path might be optimized for reconnaissance. — coreyspowell (@coreyspowell) Interestingly, some theorists believe the object is older than our solar system, possibly carrying water that predates Earth. Loeb notes that 3I/ATLAS will pass close to Mars, Jupiter, and Venus, which, he argues, could provide a discreet opportunity to deploy surveillance it makes its closest approach to the Sun in late November, 3I/ATLAS will no longer be visible from Earth—a detail Loeb says could be intentional to avoid detection during its brightest phase. — latestinspace (@latestinspace) 'If it's a technological artifact,' Loeb adds, 'it could support the Dark Forest theory'—a concept suggesting that alien civilizations stay silent to avoid being discovered by potentially hostile warns that if this theory holds, defensive measures might be necessary, though the object is moving too fast for any Earth-based spacecraft to intercept before it exits the Solar discovery has triggered a storm of speculation on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter). — ClintonDesveaux (@ClintonDesveaux) One post read: 'Hubble just captured 3I/ATLAS and it's weirder than anyone expected! It looks like a comet, it flies like a probe—and it might not be natural at all.'Another conspiracy theory account added: 'Is this Project Bluebeam in action? The mainstream media is pushing the 'hostile alien object' narrative. 3I/ATLAS could be an invader comet, just like ?Oumuamua before it mysteriously slingshotted around the Sun and left the system at an unnatural speed.' — UAPWatchers (@UAPWatchers) Whether comet or craft, 3I/ATLAS continues to fuel a heated debate—raising scientific curiosity and interstellar suspicion in equal measure.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
‘Is it a comet, a probe, or something else?' Meet 3I/ATLAS, the strange interstellar object baffling everyone
— UAPWatchers (@UAPWatchers) Live Events — coreyspowell (@coreyspowell) — latestinspace (@latestinspace) — ClintonDesveaux (@ClintonDesveaux) — UAPWatchers (@UAPWatchers) (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A mysterious interstellar object , named 3I/ATLAS , is hurtling toward the Sun at over 130,000 mph, and scientists can't agree on what exactly it on July 1, 3I/ATLAS is the third known interstellar visitor to enter our solar system, following 2017's Oumuamua and 2019's Borisov. It measures about 15 miles wide, making it larger than some astronomers suggest it's a comet made of water ice and organic compounds like silicates—similar to asteroids found in the outer regions of the solar system's main belt—others aren't convinced it's natural at astrophysicist Avi Loeb, known for his bold theories about extraterrestrial intelligence , has again stirred debate. Along with researchers Adam Hibberd and Adam Crowl from the Initiative for Interstellar Studies, Loeb has proposed that 3I/ATLAS may be an alien probe , pointing to its unusual trajectory and exceptionally high speed, even greater than ?Oumuamua' team speculates that such characteristics could offer "advantages to extraterrestrial intelligence," suggesting the object's path might be optimized for some theorists believe the object is older than our solar system, possibly carrying water that predates Earth. Loeb notes that 3I/ATLAS will pass close to Mars, Jupiter, and Venus, which, he argues, could provide a discreet opportunity to deploy surveillance it makes its closest approach to the Sun in late November, 3I/ATLAS will no longer be visible from Earth—a detail Loeb says could be intentional to avoid detection during its brightest phase.'If it's a technological artifact,' Loeb adds, 'it could support the Dark Forest theory'—a concept suggesting that alien civilizations stay silent to avoid being discovered by potentially hostile warns that if this theory holds, defensive measures might be necessary, though the object is moving too fast for any Earth-based spacecraft to intercept before it exits the Solar discovery has triggered a storm of speculation on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter).One post read: 'Hubble just captured 3I/ATLAS and it's weirder than anyone expected! It looks like a comet, it flies like a probe—and it might not be natural at all.'Another conspiracy theory account added: 'Is this Project Bluebeam in action? The mainstream media is pushing the 'hostile alien object' narrative. 3I/ATLAS could be an invader comet, just like ?Oumuamua before it mysteriously slingshotted around the Sun and left the system at an unnatural speed.'Whether comet or craft, 3I/ATLAS continues to fuel a heated debate—raising scientific curiosity and interstellar suspicion in equal measure.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Baba Vanga was right? Scientists claim alien ship larger than Manhattan, moving at 1.3 lakh mph, to attack Earth this Nov
Legendary Bulgarian mystic Baba Vanga had reportedly predicted that humanity would make contact with aliens in 2025. But recent scientific claims suggest that contact may come sooner — and far more hostile. According to a report published on July 16 on the preprint server arXiv and cited by the New York Post and South West News Service, a team of scientists has warned that an alien spacecraft may be heading toward Earth — potentially launching an attack as early as this November. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Cybersecurity CXO MCA Data Analytics others Technology MBA PGDM Finance Data Science Project Management Product Management Leadership Public Policy Artificial Intelligence Others Design Thinking Digital Marketing Degree Operations Management Healthcare Data Science Management healthcare Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months MIT xPRO CERT-MIT xPRO PGC in Cybersecurity Starts on undefined Get Details The object in question, named 3I/ATLAS, was first detected on July 1 and is racing toward the Sun at over 130,000 miles per hour. Just a day after its discovery, astronomers confirmed that it originated from outside our solar system. Initial observations suggested it might be a comet, roughly 15 miles in diameter — making it even larger than Manhattan. However, in their paper, researchers Avi Loeb, Adam Hibberd, and Adam Crowl from the Initiative for Interstellar Studies propose that 3I/ATLAS might not be a natural object at all, but rather a piece of extraterrestrial spy technology in disguise. Loeb, a Harvard astrophysicist known for his controversial theory that the 2017 object `Oumuamua could have been an alien reconnaissance probe, argues that 3I/ATLAS displays several unusual characteristics — including a unique trajectory and exceptionally high speed. These anomalies, he suggests, could point to an intelligent origin. Live Events In a blog post, Loeb noted that the object's path through the solar system allows it to pass close to Jupiter, Mars, and Venus — an ideal opportunity, he says, for aliens to covertly deploy surveillance 'gadgets' on these planets. What's more concerning is that when 3I/ATLAS reaches its closest point to the Sun (perihelion) in late November, it will temporarily vanish from Earth's view. Loeb suggests this may be a deliberate move to avoid detection by Earth-based telescopes — possibly the moment when alien technology could be dispatched toward our planet. If 3I/ATLAS is indeed a technological artifact, it may support the "dark forest hypothesis" — the idea that intelligent alien civilizations stay hidden to avoid detection by potential threats. Loeb warns that this situation might not just be surveillance, but a precursor to a potential alien attack , urging that "defensive measures" may need to be considered. Whether this object turns out to be a comet or a cosmic Trojan horse, the scientific world — and the public — will be watching closely as November approaches.
