A recently released interstellar object is puzzling scientists with its unusual glow, leading one Harvard astrophysicist to propose a radical new explanation.
According to Harvard scientist Avi Loeb, the object 3I/ATLAS – currently zooming through our solar system – appears to be emitting its own light. If verified, this would contradict NASA’s classification of the object as a comet.
Loeb and his colleague analyzed NASA photos of 3I/ATLAS, concluding that the light source is unlikely to come from the sun. Instead, they suggest the object’s nucleus is producing most of the glow.
This new understanding would significantly change our view of the object’s size, with estimates suggesting it could be as small as a 100-meter diameter – much smaller than initially thought.
Loeb also raises the possibility that 3I/ATLAS could be an alien spacecraft powered by nuclear energy. He suggests this could be a reconnaissance mission conducted by an intelligent, interstellar entity.
To further investigate, Loeb is calling on NASA to use its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Juno craft to observe the object during upcoming close passes.
This shift in understanding highlights the need for more evidence, but raises intriguing questions about the origins of this mysterious object.
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/08/19/world-news/interstellar-object-3i-atlas-appears-to-emit-its-own-light-harvard-scientist