Astronomers have discovered a rare interstellar object, 3I/ATLAS, passing through our solar system. Harvard physicist Dr. Avi Loeb believes the object’s unusual characteristics may indicate it’s more than just a typical comet.
The object was first detected in early July by an ATLAS telescope in Chile and is only the third time an interstellar object has been observed entering our solar system. Measuring 20 kilometers across, 3I/ATLAS is larger than Manhattan and unusually bright for its distance.
Loeb points out that comets typically have a tail, but 3I/ATLAS shows a glow in front of it, not behind. This unusual characteristic has sparked speculation about the object’s origins.
What’s even more surprising is the object’s trajectory. It’s aligned with the orbits of several planets, including Mars, Venus, and Jupiter, with a probability of one in 20,000. The object will reach its closest point to the sun on October 30.
Dr. Loeb warns that if 3I/ATLAS is found to be technological, it could have a significant impact on human history. “We have to decide how to respond to that,” he said.
The discovery has raised questions about the origins and intentions of this mysterious object, leaving astronomers eager to learn more about its characteristics and potential implications for humanity.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/science/harvard-physicist-says-massive-interstellar-object-could-alien-probe-reconnaissance-mission