Posted on 08/04/2025 2:34:18 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A mysterious object moving through the solar system has caught the attention of Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, who believes it could be more than just a comet—and possibly an alien spacecraft. The interstellar body, designated 3I/ATLAS, was first spotted on July 1 and is now under close observation due to its unusual characteristics.
Loeb, known for his provocative theories on extraterrestrial life, says the object’s path raises serious questions. It travels on a rare retrograde orbit, meaning it moves against the solar system’s flow, and aligns closely with the orbital plane of Earth and other inner planets. He estimates the chances of such a natural alignment at just 0.2 percent.
He warns that if the object is artificial, it could carry probes or even hostile technology. Based on current trajectory calculations, 3I/ATLAS is expected to pass behind the sun in October and could potentially approach Earth between November 21 and December 5, 2025.
Loeb warns of a possible threat and timeline “The visitor is already in our backyard,” Loeb said, emphasizing the need to prepare for both peaceful and dangerous scenarios.
Loeb has described the object as a potential “mothership,” capable of deploying smaller devices to investigate or interact with habitable planets. He said this strategy would allow probes to reach targets like Earth while the main craft continues toward another star.
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As part of his response plan, Loeb has published three pre-print research papers and proposed that NASA attempt to intercept it using the Juno spacecraft during the object’s passage near Jupiter. He also called for the creation of an interstellar risk scale ranging from zero for natural comets to ten for confirmed technological artifacts.
To prevent public panic, he argues that governments should form multidisciplinary task forces, including scientists, policymakers, and psychologists, to plan for any eventual disclosure.
Skepticism from other astronomers Not all astronomers support his theory. Chris Lintott, a professor at the University of Oxford, dismissed the alien spacecraft suggestion as “nonsense on stilts.” He told Live Science that such claims undermine serious research into the nature of 3I/ATLAS.
Despite criticism, Loeb remains firm. The object, estimated to be about 12 miles wide, is large for something entering from beyond the solar system. He points out that if this were a natural event, scientists should have detected many similar cases by now—but haven’t.
At its current speed of nearly 60 miles per second relative to Earth, 3I/ATLAS is too fast for any existing spacecraft to intercept. Loeb admits that if it turns out to be artificial, little can be done. Still, he believes the risk justifies a warning.
He compared the situation to Pascal’s wager, noting that it’s safer to prepare for the worst-case scenario, even if the object turns out to be harmless.
Does he have a picture of it showing anything unusual?
How can something be on a retrograde path yet be continuing relative to the earth at 60 miles per second?
Ok, so the concept of an orbit is a misnomer - it is simply a gravitational course change. The fact that is opposed to the normal rotation of the solar system (retrograde) is of no significance other than to suggest that it is unrelated to the solar system origins.
Bkmk
OMG! You have me so scared I’m gonna run out and commit suicide just to relieve the anxiety you created. /s/
Wormwood calling?
Well, then, won’t you be be surprised upon Christ’s Second Coming and subsequent 1000 year reign with his saints (Revelation 19-20).
The rest of the 'Avi Loeb' keyword, sorted:
Maybe coming to partake in apple bobbing.
Some food for thought can cause indigestion
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Oumuamua came from the galactic plane where it was at rest in respect to the rest on the galaxy, moving at the same speed as the rest of the galaxy - there was no out-gassing observed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTkm3FLswJQ
Your guy is flat out wrong.
Sorry about your indigestion. But the object I3 Atlas is not Oumuamua; it is a completely different object in all respects, especially it size. and shape.
It has its own speed which is 60mps and relative to the Earth 100mps at its closest point.
Very close in solar system terms - its not trying to hit any planet. No one said it was close to Earth - of the 3 planets it comes RELATIVELY close to, Earth is the furthest away and only as the object is leaving the system.
18 million miles is close in solar system terms - the solar system is huge, and 18 million miles is nothing.
I guess I shouldn’t worry about the price of my Apple stock then
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Nah, cash in now, and spend it all - go out in a glorious shower of wealth!!!
So when was the last time aliens landed here?
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he does not claim they are or have - that’s your interpretation, like your made up, idiotic Bible prophecy.
Thanks for the update. It’s a learning process.
It's BIBLE prophesy - not made up, and is coming soon. You'd be wise to prepare.
My comment about aliens was in response to "He's usually right."
If the Earth is traveling 18 MPS and the object is traveling 60 MPS then the maximum would be a direct in line hit from two directions . 60 + 18 = 78. There is an extra boost in speed from actually falling to the Earth but that can’t be any more than 7 MPS which is the escape velocity for the Earth.
You mean oumuamua? After it rounded the sun it accelerated as it left the solar system. No propulsion, out gassing, etc could be detected. Another strange anomaly.
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