Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, which they believe is anomalously massive and large. By analyzing data on its motion between May 15 and September 23, 2025, they set an upper limit of 0.028 arcseconds for non-gravitational acceleration, indicating that it has a mass significantly greater than other known interstellar objects. The object’s diameter must be at least 5 kilometers to accommodate this massive size, making it one of the largest ever detected.
This anomaly raises questions about the origin of 3I/ATLAS and whether it is an unusual comet with a rare trajectory or alien technology. Scientists are eager to learn more, as further observations will help determine its composition and any potential propulsion systems. The upcoming passage of 3I/ATLAS near Mars and Jupiter will provide crucial constraints on its size and surface area.
The discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the interstellar mass reservoir and the detection rate of objects like 3I/ATLAS. As Avi Loeb, the lead researcher, notes, “Scientific truth is revealed by data, not by authority.” The findings have left scientists curious about the nature of this enigmatic object, which may hold secrets to understanding our universe and its mysterious phenomena.
Source: https://avi-loeb.medium.com/news-on-3i-atlas-lack-of-non-gravitational-acceleration-implies-an-anomalously-massive-object-7ad320e69cef