A newly discovered comet named 3I/ATLAS is stirring up excitement in the scientific community. Initially spotted in July by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, it’s only the third interstellar object detected. The first two were Comet 2I/Borisov in 2019 and the mysterious ‘Oumuamua in 2017.
What sets 3I/ATLAS apart is its size and unusual characteristics. Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb and his team believe it could weigh over 33 billion tons, with a nucleus larger than 3.1 miles across. As it approaches the sun, the comet is losing significant amounts of carbon dioxide and dust, which raises questions about its origins.
Loeb noted that 3I/ATLAS could be far more massive than its interstellar siblings, suggesting it is “a major anomaly.” It travels at a breathtaking speed of about 152,000 mph, following a flat and straight path unlike any other object in our solar system.
Loeb has speculated that if the comet were to make a sudden maneuver, it could imply that it has been engineered—perhaps even indicating the presence of alien technology. He suggests, “The hypothesis is that 3I/ATLAS is a technological artifact, and furthermore has active intelligence.”
Despite its impressive size and mysterious nature, 3I/ATLAS poses no threat to Earth. The comet will stay about 150 million miles away, making a close approach to Mars, about 1.67 million miles from its orbit, while also coming near Jupiter and Venus.
Interestingly, a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 65% of Americans believe intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe. This growing curiosity about extraterrestrial life adds layers to how we perceive objects like 3I/ATLAS. The blend of space exploration and the quest for understanding our universe continues to captivate the public, further fueling discussions around the possibility of life beyond Earth.
For more detailed insights, you can refer to a comprehensive analysis by Harvard researchers here and read NASA’s report here.
