Imagine spotting a visitor from another star system so close that it vanishes behind the Sun — that is the extraordinary case of the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS.
Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb says now is the key moment to determine whether this isn’t simply a comet, but something far more remarkable. He argues that as 3I/ATLAS reached perihelion and slipped out of Earth’s view, it could have executed a manoeuvre no natural object would.
3I/ATLAS Hidden at Perihelion Could Mask a Big Reveal
When 3I/ATLAS passed closest to the Sun, Earth-based telescopes could not track it. Loeb told FOX32 Chicago that proximity to the Sun may offer an interstellar object the chance to exploit solar gravity for unusual movement. He asked whether its path will change after perihelion and noted that if it does, the stock market could crash — because it would suggest risk from something other than a regular rock.
3I/ATLAS Trajectory and Sting in the Tail of Technology
According to observations published by Loeb and his team, 3I/ATLAS is aligned within five degrees of the ecliptic plane and has a staggering speed of roughly 245,000 km/hour. Such alignment and speed occur with extremely low probability for a random object. He speculated this may signal purposeful targeting, rather than random cosmic drift. Most scientists, however, maintain that 3I/ATLAS behaves like a natural comet.
3I/ATLAS Composition Anomalies Fuel Alien Probe Theory
Imagery from the Hubble Space Telescope on 21 July 2025 revealed a dust-laden cocoon around 3I/ATLAS rather than a standard comet tail. Loeb published that this “anti-tail” pointed toward the Sun — an unprecedented phenomenon. He and co-authors also cite high levels of nickel without iron, a chemical signature more consistent with industrial processes than natural comets.
3I/ATLAS Could Rewrite Our Perspective on Earthly Risk
Loeb told the interview that our government is used to disasters from nature and technology but rarely both. He argued that even if the odds of 3I/ATLAS being natural are high, the possible consequences of discovering alien technology demand we pay attention. As 3I/ATLAS emerges from behind the Sun and comes back into view later in the year, scientists are waiting — and the world may hang on its next move.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.