Avi Loeb Claims 40% Chance That 3I/ATLAS Is Alien Technology

Dr. Avi Loeb, a prominent astrophysicist and former chair of Harvard University’s astronomy department, has raised eyebrows with his assertion that the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS has a 40% chance of being alien technology. This provocative claim stems from a series of unusual characteristics observed in 3I/ATLAS, which Loeb describes as unlike any natural object humanity has encountered.

The debate surrounding 3I/ATLAS has evolved from mere scientific inquiry into a matter of urgent interest. Loeb’s reasoning for the 40% probability is multifaceted, rooted in what he calls a “growing list of anomalies.” He argues that the cumulative evidence increasingly undermines the idea that this object is merely a comet.

Unusual Chemical Composition Raises Questions

One of the most striking features of 3I/ATLAS is its chemical composition. Unlike typical cosmic objects that exhibit a balanced presence of nickel and iron, 3I/ATLAS has been found venting a plume of pure nickel gas, devoid of iron. “There is only one place where that is known to exist and that is in industrially produced nickel alloys,” Loeb stated. This chemical signature is unprecedented in nature and forms a key part of Loeb’s argument.

Further complicating matters is the composition of the object’s gas plume, which consists of 95% carbon dioxide and only 5% water—an inversion of the expected “dirty snowball” model of comets that should be rich in water ice. Additionally, 3I/ATLAS exhibits anomalous behavior, lacking a traditional comet tail and instead showing a powerful jet of material directed towards the Sun, challenging conventional cometary physics.

Trajectory and Potential Intent

The trajectory of 3I/ATLAS raises further questions about its origin. Estimated to be approximately 5.6 kilometers wide and moving at high velocity, its path is notably aligned with the ecliptic plane, the flat disc around which planets in our solar system orbit. Loeb emphasizes that the statistical probability of a random interstellar object arriving on such a finely-tuned trajectory is remarkably low.

Loeb suggests that an alien civilization would intentionally direct a probe towards the ecliptic plane, a target-rich environment for observing planets. This notion of deliberate design is a compelling aspect of his 40% assessment. He further theorizes that 3I/ATLAS could function as a “technological mothership,” potentially releasing smaller probes as it approaches key celestial bodies, including a recent close flyby of Mars.

As 3I/ATLAS nears its perihelion, the point at which it comes closest to the Sun on October 29, 2023, its visibility will be compromised. This timing has raised suspicions for Loeb, who believes it could provide an opportunity for a technological object to perform an “Oberth manoeuvre,” utilizing the Sun’s gravity for acceleration or deceleration while remaining hidden from Earth-based observations.

While the prevailing scientific consensus posits that 3I/ATLAS is a natural, albeit peculiar, comet, the questions surrounding its unusual chemistry and trajectory continue to provoke discussion. Loeb asserts that if the object re-emerges with a changed trajectory or velocity—indicative of a manoeuvre—his original estimate of 40% would likely increase significantly.

As 3I/ATLAS approaches its moment of truth, astronomers and enthusiasts alike are left to contemplate the implications of this mysterious visitor. Will it return as the same object, or will its path reveal evidence of intelligence? The scientific community awaits the data that will emerge in November, with hopes of shedding light on this enigmatic interstellar traveler.