This month, astronomers spotted a curious object zipping toward our inner solar system. It’s only the third confirmed interstellar object we’ve seen, with the first two appearing since 2017.
Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb quickly suggested a wild idea: what if this object, named 3I/ATLAS, is an alien probe? He proposes that we could use NASA’s Juno spacecraft to get a closer look and explore this possibility.
Juno, which studies Jupiter, could reach close to 3I/ATLAS by March 14, 2026. Loeb calculated that Juno would need to boost its speed by 1.66 miles per second in September 2025 to intercept the object’s path. In his blog, he says that this rare encounter offers a unique chance to gather data about 3I/ATLAS.
Although a full rendezvous isn’t possible due to the object’s high speed, Juno has instruments that could help us learn more about 3I/ATLAS. What’s still unknown is whether Juno has enough fuel for this ambitious mission. Loeb believes that this effort could rejuvenate Juno’s mission and extend its lifespan.
Recently, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile observed 3I/ATLAS. Initial findings suggest it’s about seven miles wide, making it the largest interstellar object ever recorded. Most scientists think it’s a comet, with its coma—a cloud of ice, dust, and gas—potentially spanning up to 15 miles.
Vera C. Rubin’s observations also revealed ice and dust near its core, further supporting the comet theory. Yet, we still have questions. Some scientists speculate that 3I/ATLAS might have originated from a dense area of our galaxy called the “thick disk,” which has a unique group of stars. Others believe it could be billions of years old, dating back to the early Milky Way.
The idea of sending Juno after 3I/ATLAS might not gain traction at NASA, but this rare interstellar visitor could finally provide us with a close-up view. As we look into the cosmos, every discovery takes us a step closer to understanding our universe.
For more information on this intriguing object, you can check out the detailed analysis from reputable sources like [NASA’s official site](https://www.nasa.gov) and recent findings shared by [the Vera C. Rubin Observatory](https://www.vera-rubin-observatory.org).
