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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Science
- Indian Express
3I/Atlas: Could this interstellar object be alien tech? Harvard study hints at possibility
A few days ago, astronomers spotted a small comet that entered our solar system. Now, a Harvard astronomer is saying that it's a chance that the comet is actually not a piece of rock but some sort of alien tech. First observed by NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope, the comet was named by the Minor Planet Center as 3I/ATLAS. In a newly published yet to be peer-reviewed paper, Avi Loeb, a Harvard astronomer who first suggested that Oumuamua, the first interstellar object ever detected, was alien, in partnership with researchers from the UK based Initiative for Interstellar Studies, said that in addition to being alien in origin, 3I/Atlas may belong to a hostile extraterrestrial civilisation. In a blog post on the popular platform Medium, Loeb said that we will need more observational data to determine if 3I/ATLAS is a comet or an asteroid. He went on to say that the object was 'sent towards the inner solar system by design.' Loeb is an accomplished astronomer, but in the last few years, his statements have made headlines around the world after he claimed that various objects floating around in space might be alien spacecraft. Citing the 'dark forest' hypothesis, which assumes that the universe is filled with aliens to avoid mutual destruction, Loeb, along with his colleagues Adam Hibberd and Adam Crowl, say that 3I/ATLAS might prove that we aren't the only living creatures in the universe. 'The consequences, should the [dark forest] hypothesis turn out to be correct, could potentially be dire for humanity,' Loeb wrote in his blog post. In another post, the Harvard astronomer said that 3I/ATLAS is likely more than 12 miles in diameter, making it bigger than the obelisk-shaped Oumuamua. In his paper, he also acknowledged that 3I/ATLAS might turn out to be a natural interstellar object, and that he is waiting for astronomical data to see if his theory turns out to be true. 3I/ATLAS is an interstellar object, meaning it came from outside our solar system. Rocks like these are most ancient and were ejected into space by distant star systems that may no longer exist. Space objects like these often give us useful insights into the building blocks of other planetary systems in space. While interstellar objects often fly by our solar system, most of them are pretty difficult to spot and study. Compared to previously spotted interstellar objects – 1I/Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov, which were discovered in 2017 and 2019, respectively, 3I/ATLAS might be up to 20km long, which means it will be the biggest interstellar object ever recorded. When astronomers analysed images captured from the Gemini North telescope, it was noted that 3I/ATLAS has a compact cloud of gas and dust that surrounds its icy core. Some other observations also suggest that 3I/ATLAS might have come from the outer, thicker disk of the Milky Way, and might possibly be the oldest comet ever spotted. 3I/ATLAS will be passing by the Sun at a distance of 210 million km, marking its closest point to our star. Sometime in December, the interstellar object will be 270 million km from Earth, but it won't pose any danger to our planet.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
New interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is hurtling through the solar system — and you can watch it live online today
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A rare but faint interstellar visitor from beyond our solar system is racing toward the sun — and you can watch it live online today! Astronomers have identified this cosmic interloper as 3I/ATLAS, making it only the third confirmed object from outside the solar system after 'Oumuamua (2017) and comet 2I/Borisov (2019). The interstellar comet, originally designated C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), was observed on July 1 by the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile. It has since been designated 3I/ATLAS by the Minor Planet Center (MPC), with "3I" marking it as the third known interstellar object. "There are tentative reports of cometary activity," The MPC report states. "With a marginal coma and a short 3" tail". You can watch comet 3I/ATLAS live online tonight (July 3), thanks to the Virtual Telescope Project, which will livestream views beginning at 6:00 p.m. EDT (2200 GMT). The feed will showcase imagery from telescopes in Manciano, Italy, weather permitting. Tune in via Virtual Telescope's WebTV, YouTube channel or here on Currently, 3I/ATLAS is about 4.5 astronomical units (AU) — or 670 million kilometers (416 million miles) — from the sun according to NASA, and around magnitude 18.8, far too faint for backyard telescopes. But it's expected to brighten slightly as it approaches perihelion (closest point to the sun) on Oct. 30, when it will pass just 1.4 AU (130 million miles or 210 million km) from the sun inside the orbit of Mars. The Virtual Telescope Project captured a photo of the interstellar visitor on July 2, using one of its robotic telescopes to track the object's motion across the sky. In the 120-second exposure, the comet appears as a sharp point of light, while the background stars show short trails due to their relative movement. The object is speeding through the solar system at 68 kilometers per second (152,000 mph) relative to the sun, and it poses no threat to Earth, according to NASA. After dipping behind the sun in late fall, 3I/ATLAS is expected to reappear in early December, giving astronomers another chance to study this rare visitor from beyond our cosmic neighborhood.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Astronomers spot 'interstellar object' speeding through solar system
An "interstellar object" is speeding toward the inner solar system, where Earth is located, astronomers have confirmed. The object -- likely a comet -- was first detected in data collected between by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS -- an asteroid impact early warning system in Rio Hurtado, Chile, funded by NASA, the space agency announced on Tuesday. MORE: NASA detects new planet with temperatures that suggest habitable conditions Properties such as a marginal coma and short tail indicate signs of cometary activity, according to the Minor Planet Center. Numerous telescopes have reported additional observations since the object was first reported, NASA said. Observations from three different ATLAS telescopes around the world -- as well as the Zwicky Transient Facility at the Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California -- dating back to June 14 were gathered and provided data that supports the existence of the comet, according to a NASA update released Wednesday. It appears to be originating from interstellar space, arriving from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, and is currently about 420 million miles from Earth, according to NASA. The comet poses no threat to Earth and will remain at a distance of at least 150 million miles, astronomers said. It is estimated to reach its closest approach to the sun around Oct. 30, where it will cross at about 130 million miles away, just inside the orbit of Mars, according to NASA. MORE: NASA catches a glimpse of 'city-killer' asteroid before it disappears until 2028 The object, dubbed "A11pl3Z" or "3I/ATLAS," spans approximately 25 miles, Josep Trigo-Rodriguez, as astrophysicist at the Institute of Space Sciences near Barcelona, Spain, told The Associated Press. It's traveling at a speed of about 152,000 mph and approaching the inner solar system from the bar of the Milky Way, Live Science reported. Its trajectory suggests it did not originate in this solar system, according to This is only the third time in history that an interstellar object entering the inner solar system has been recorded. A cigar-shaped interstellar object called "Oumuamua," the Hawaiian word for "scout," was detected in 2017. And in 2019, an object named "21/Borisov" -- a comet that likely strayed from another star system -- was located. MORE: Asteroid nearly hits Earth in Siberia, with a 2nd massive asteroid passing this week Astronomers will continue to investigate the size and physical properties of the comet through September, after which it will pass too close to the sun to remain visible, NASA said. The comet is expected to reappear on the other side of the sun in early December, NASA said.
03-07-2025
- Science
Astronomers spot 'interstellar object' speeding through solar system
An "interstellar object" is speeding toward the inner solar system, where Earth is located, astronomers have confirmed. The object -- likely a comet -- was first detected in data collected between by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS -- an asteroid impact early warning system in Rio Hurtado, Chile, funded by NASA, the space agency announced on Tuesday. Properties such as a marginal coma and short tail indicate signs of cometary activity, according to the Minor Planet Center. Numerous telescopes have reported additional observations since the object was first reported, NASA said. Observations from three different ATLAS telescopes around the world -- as well as the Zwicky Transient Facility at the Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California -- dating back to June 14 were gathered and provided data that supports the existence of the comet, according to a NASA update released Wednesday. It appears to be originating from interstellar space, arriving from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, and is currently about 420 million miles from Earth, according to NASA. The comet poses no threat to Earth and will remain at a distance of at least 150 million miles, astronomers said. It is estimated to reach its closest approach to the sun around Oct. 30, where it will cross at about 130 million miles away, just inside the orbit of Mars, according to NASA. The object, dubbed "A11pl3Z" or "3I/ATLAS," spans approximately 25 miles, Josep Trigo-Rodriguez, as astrophysicist at the Institute of Space Sciences near Barcelona, Spain, told The Associated Press. It's traveling at a speed of about 152,000 mph and approaching the inner solar system from the bar of the Milky Way, Live Science reported. Its trajectory suggests it did not originate in this solar system, according to This is only the third time in history that an interstellar object entering the inner solar system has been recorded. A cigar-shaped interstellar object called " Oumuamua," the Hawaiian word for "scout," was detected in 2017. And in 2019, an object named " 21/Borisov" -- a comet that likely strayed from another star system -- was located. Astronomers will continue to investigate the size and physical properties of the comet through September, after which it will pass too close to the sun to remain visible, NASA said.
Indian Express
03-07-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
A comet from another star system? Watch interstellar 3I/ATLAS live tonight
Astronomers have spotted a small comet entering our solar system and racing towards the Sun. The fun part is you may have the chance to watch its journey live and for free. The tiny comet was first observed by the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope, located in Rio Hurtado, Chile, on July 1. Initially called C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) or A11pl3Z, the comet has since been renamed 3I/ATLAS by the Minor Planet Center (MPC). The '3I' is a marker indicating this comet as the third known interstellar object, after 'Oumuamua in 2017, and the comet 2I/Borisov in 2019. As per the MPC report, the comet has a marginal coma and a short three-inch tail, making it more difficult to observe. You have a chance to view this one, though, thanks to The Virtual Telescope Project . The platform is using its technology allowing all to view the 3I/ATLAS live as it travels toward the Sun. This is accessible on The Virtual Telescope Project's WebTV, YouTube channel. The livestream will begin at 3:30 am IST on July 4. It will show footage from telescopes in Mancino, Italy. On July 2, using one of its robotic telescopes to track its motion, the Virtual Telescope Project was able to capture a photo of the comet. Due to the telescope's movement, stars show movement trails as the comet looks like a stationary light. As per NASA, 3I/ATLAS is 4.5 astronomical units (converting to 670 million kilometres) away from the Sun, with a magnitude of 18.8. However, the comet is expected to get slightly brighter by around October 30, as it reaches perihelion, or its closest point to the Sun. This will be around 1.4 astronomical units (or 210 million kilometres) away from the Sun. At the moment, the comet is currently moving at a speed of 68 kilometers per second relative to the Sun. While the 3I/ATLAS will temporarily disappear from view by mid-November as it travels behind the Sun, it is expected to reappear in view by early-December. (This article has been curated by Purv Ashar, who is an intern with The Indian Express)
