The enigmatic interstellar comet, 3I/ATLAS, has reached its perihelion, its closest point to the Sun, on October 29th. This event is crucial for scientists as they observe its behavior, hoping to determine if this visitor from beyond our solar system is a natural celestial object or something more extraordinary – potentially an alien spacecraft.
The comet’s closest approach, at 11:47 a.m. UT (7:47 a.m. ET), is considered a pivotal moment, particularly by Harvard professor Avi Loeb. He refers to this as the comet’s “acid test,” suggesting that if 3I/ATLAS were indeed an artificial craft, this would be the prime opportunity for it to exhibit changes in direction or speed.
Designated as the third known object from outside our solar system to traverse our cosmic neighborhood, 3I/ATLAS follows in the footsteps of ‘Oumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019). The Hubble Space Telescope has provided detailed images, capturing its journey through space.
While Professor Loeb acknowledges that 3I/ATLAS is “most likely natural,” he points out eight unusual characteristics that set it apart from typical comets. On his ‘Loeb Scale’ for assessing technological origins, where 0 signifies natural and 10 signifies technological, he rates 3I/ATLAS a 4.
Among its peculiar features are:
- An orbit that aligns remarkably closely with planetary orbits, an exceptionally rare occurrence.
- A sunward jet or “anti-tail” observed during July and August, which is not an optical illusion.
- A mass a million times greater than ‘Oumuamua and significantly larger than 2I/Borisov.
The critical question remains: natural or artificial? If 3I/ATLAS is a natural comet, the Sun’s heat could cause it to fragment, releasing a bright cloud of gas and dust. However, if it’s an artificial construct, it might display signs of advanced technology, such as controlled maneuvers, deliberate changes in brightness, or the deployment of small probes.
NASA has confirmed that 3I/ATLAS poses no threat to Earth and will pass at a safe distance. Scientists will continue their observations in the coming months to better understand its true nature. As Professor Loeb wisely stated, “The possibility of alien technology would be huge, and we must take it seriously. Nature often surprises us more than any science fiction story ever could.”