The human imagination and curiosity about the stars have led us to explore the stars. While humanity has looked to the stars with many questions, the question of life on other planets captivates us the most. Furthermore, questions about what happens when contact is made with extraterrestrial beings. Will these entities be hostile? What kind of technology would they have?
A group of scientists claims a “possibly hostile” alien threat has entered the solar system and is coming directly towards Earth. This mysterious interstellar object, believed to be some kind of extraterrestrial transport, is said to originate from interstellar space. These scientists speculate that this object could arrive on Earth as soon as November this year.
Discovery of 3I/ATLAS
The interstellar object named 3I/ATLAS was discovered on July 1, 2025, by NASA’s ATLAS telescope in Chile. It was first reported as a comet that originated from interstellar space. According to NASA’s ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Alert System) astronomers, the interstellar object arrived from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius. When it was discovered, 3I/ATLAS was approximately 410 million miles (670 million kilometers) away from the Sun. This area is within the orbit of Jupiter. It is currently heading towards the sun at more than 130,000 mph.
Pre-discovery observations were later found dating back to June 14, 2025, from multiple telescope systems, including the Zwicky Transient Facility. It is only the third known object of its kind to traverse our solar system. It joins Oumuamua, discovered in 2017, and 2I/Borisov, discovered in 2019.
The Controversial Alien Threat Hypothesis
While astronomers and scientists mostly agree that 3I/ATLAS is likely a comet, Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb proposes another theory. According to a non-peer-reviewed paper published on July 16 by Avi Loeb, Adam Hibberd, and Adam Crowl, 3I/ATLAS might not be an ordinary comet. Their study suggests this interstellar object could be a piece of alien technology. Avi Loeb speculates that this technology could possibly be a threat to Earth.
Their hypothesis centers on several strange characteristics of 3I/ATLAS. They looked at the object’s unusual trajectory that brings it close to Jupiter, Mars, and Venus. By their calculations, the chance of the object passing within the observed distances of all 3 planets purely by coincidence is less than 0.005%. Most astronomers and scientists agree that 3I/ATLAS is most likely a comet. They do not endorse the hypothesis that it is an alien threat.
Physical Characteristics of 3I/ATLAS
3I/ATLAS has captured astronomers’ interest due to its immense size and velocity. It is estimated to be up to 15 miles in diameter, which is larger than Manhattan. This makes it potentially the largest known interstellar object to enter our solar system, exceeding both ʻOumuamua and 2I/Borisov. Its hyperbolic, non-repeating trajectory and lack of certain comet-like features also contributed to its mysterious nature.
The Object’s Trajectory and Timing
Observers of 3I/ATLAS speculate it will reach perihelion (the closest approach to the Sun) around the end of October 2025. It will be at a distance of approximately 1.4 AU (Astronomical Units) (130 million miles) from the Sun, just inside Mars’ orbit. The object’s trajectory will take it through close encounters with Jupiter, Mars, and Venus.
During perihelion, 3I/ATLAS will be positioned on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth, making it temporarily unobservable from our planet. The object will pass no closer than 1.6 AU (149 million miles) to Earth, posing no threat to our planet. After perihelion, it will become visible again in November 2025, moving through the constellations Virgo and Leo before continuing into interstellar space.
Scientific Skepticism and Expert Criticism
Most astronomers, including those at NASA and the University of Regina, assert that all evidence points to 3I/ATLAS being a natural comet. They believe it originated in another solar system. Samantha Lawler, an astronomer specializing in solar system dynamics, noted the lack of unusual emissions or signals from 3I/ATLAS. Other astronomers agree that there is no evidence to warrant any alien threat. At large the scientific community rejects Avi Loeb’s alien threat hypothesis.
Karen Meech, a planetary astronomer at the University of Hawaii, dismissed Loeb’s claims as “irresponsible science,” noting that “there’s a perfectly natural explanation for this. It is behaving like a regular comet.”
Critics have labeled the alien theory as “nonsense” and “insulting,” arguing that the available evidence supports 3I/ATLAS being a comet. Even Loeb himself acknowledged that “by far, the most likely outcome will be that 3I/ATLAS is a completely natural interstellar object, probably a comet”.
There is much misinformation and misreporting surrounding 3I/ATLAS in the media and especially on social media. The peer review process is crucial for validating scientific findings, requiring that research undergo scrutiny by qualified experts before publication. Loeb’s paper was published on arXiv without peer review, leading to heavy criticism from the scientific community. Many experts dismissed the hypothesis as a distraction, leading away from legitimate scientific findings and research.
Broader Astronomical Implications
3I/ATLAS offers insight into some of the mysteries of interstellar space. It could provide invaluable data on the composition and behavior of interstellar objects. A team from Oxford University suggested this interstellar object may be older than our solar system. Their preliminary findings hypothesize that 31/ATLAS might have formed around an old star, meaning it might have water ice.
Conclusion
While claims of an alien threat continue to grab headlines, the scientific consensus remains clear. Most astronomers agree that 3I/ATLAS is simply a natural comet from another star system. The object poses no danger to Earth and will pass safely at a distance of 149 million miles.
Scientists across the globe are already rushing to study this incredible comet before it disappears forever. These cosmic objects offer valuable insights into distant planetary systems and the formation of our galaxy. However, responsible reporting and relying on peer-reviewed scientific research to obtain your facts is crucial for dividing sensationalism from legitimate scientific discovery.
Read More: NASA Detects Interstellar Object Passing Through Our Solar System