Harvard physicist says massive interstellar object could be alien probe on 'reconnaissance mission' (Avi Loeb - Speculation on thin evidence: trajectory + odd glow)

Fox News ^ | Sophia Compton

[RoosterRedux]

Astronomers recently discovered a rare interstellar object passing through our solar system, and a Harvard physicist is sounding the alarm that its strange characteristics might indicate it’s more than just a typical comet.

"Maybe the trajectory was designed," Dr. Avi Loeb, science professor at Harvard University, told Fox News Digital. "If it had an objective to sort of to be on a reconnaissance mission, to either send mini probes to those planets or monitor them… It seems quite anomalous."

The object — dubbed 3I/ATLAS — was first detected in early July by an Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS, telescope located in Chile. The discovery marked only the third time an interstellar object has been observed entering our solar system, according to NASA.

Although NASA has classified the object as a comet, Loeb noted that an image of the cosmic visitor indicated an unexpected glow appearing in front of the object, rather than trailing behind it — something he described as "quite surprising."

"Usually with comets you have a tail, a cometary tail, where dust and gas are shining, reflecting sunlight, and that's the signature of a comet," Loeb told Fox News Digital. "Here, you see a glow in front of it, not behind it."

Measuring about 20 kilometers across, making it larger than Manhattan, 3I/ATLAS is also unusually bright for its distance. However, according to Loeb, its most unusual characteristic is its trajectory.

"If you imagine objects entering the solar system from random directions, just one in 500 of them would be aligned so well with the orbits of the planets," he said.

---

TOPICS: Astronomy; Science; UFO's
KEYWORDS: 3iatlas; astronomy; aviloeb; comet; comets; harvard; science; sophiacompton

[RoosterRedux]

This looks like another case of Avi advertising astronomy rather than solid speculation.

He did before with Oumuamua.

[spincaster]

I don’t have a warm and fuzzy feeling about this. I hope it’s Jesus returning . We need him more than ever.

[RoosterRedux]

Avi Loeb and alien “comet” invasion - Ping

[RoosterRedux]

I would prefer an alien invasion to seeing the Democrats back in office.

And then there's the Muslim takeover of Europe. More preference for alien invasion.;-)

[FroggyTheGremlim]

“It’s a cookbook!”

[dennisw]

“Dr. Avi Loeb, science professor at Harvard University”

Just because you a Harvard Prof, does not stop you from trolling for clicks and internet fame points. More fame means more money rolling in.

[Omnivore-Dan]

“To serve Man”.

[MustKnowHistory]

I remember that episode very well.

[Spktyr]

So if it has a ‘tail’ in front of it while it’s approaching the sun, we *really* need to constantly monitor if the velocity is dropping or the course is changing in ways that system gravity cannot explain. A ‘tail’ counter to solar wind direction increases the likelihood that that object has a reaction or other drive with an exhaust or it has some sort of ablative or repulsive shield in the fr, assuming this isn’t an observational error.

[RoosterRedux]

Avi is excellent at getting his work in the spotlight. I think it brings a lot of attention and awareness to astronomy in general as well as what he's working on at the moment.

And he's a good guy.

[Spktyr]

A question you should seriously ask yourself: “Why would God need a starship?”

[jonrick46]

How many times does this story get posted? The conclusion that this comet is being controlled by aliens is the ultimate non-science fiction. I rank it in the category of the Heavens Gate people.

[Sirius Lee]

ask yourself: “Why would God need a starship?”

As Kirk pondered in that bad Star Trek movie. No, the really, really bad one.

[NeverTyranny]

And he just might be right.

[Spktyr]

Also asked in a different form in the Stargate movie and Stargate:SG1 TV series.

Hint: Real gods do not need a starship.

[Clutch Martin]

Earth will catch another asteroid before extraterrestrial beings show up. “Alien” Abductions are manifestations of satan and the host of fallen “angel/demons”

https://youtu.be/GwUvCf-xxz8?feature=shared

[Sirius Lee]

SG1 was better than Trek.

[telescope115]

I hope it’s Jesus returning . We need him more than ever.

Indeed we do. This object seems to be on a trajectory of “ in and out” with a constant rate of speed. If it slows down dramatically and/or makes a sudden unexpected change of direction, then we’ll know that something extraordinary is about to happen.

[maddog55]

I would think any alien 👽 predator or otherwise would be capable of interstellar travel far superior than a 130,000mph craft. The logistics alone for a multi epoch light year journey not to mention letting a potential adversary having months to prepare and respond.