Harvard scientist makes alien-related statement as 'unnatural' space object nears Mars

He's issued an 'immediate attention' warning to Congress and the United Nations

Remember that foreign space object hurtling towards us at break-neck speed?

The suspected comet, 3I/ATLAS, zoomed past Mars earlier this week, offering astronomers a closer view. Now, Harvard scientist Avi Loeb has highlighted the concerning scenario if this object were indeed an aggressive visitor from another planet.

This apparent space rock was initially detected in July by a space telescope in Río Hurtado, Chile. It's believed to be an 'interstellar' space rock, having journeyed from far beyond our solar system and now passing through it. Only two other interstellar objects have been recorded: Oumuamua in 2017 and Borisov in 2019.

The European Space Agency (ESA) observed 3I/ATLAS more closely as it passed Mars between 1 and 7 October. During its nearest approach on 3 October, the comet remained 30 million kilometers away.

However, ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter succeeded in capturing blurry footage showing a small white dot; the comet’s core surrounded by a cloud of gas and dust known as a coma.

3I/ATLAS (on the right) and its coma, as photographed by ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (ESA/TGO/CaSSIS)

As 3I/ATLAS approaches the Sun, it will warm up, releasing more gas and dust to form a tail, which might be visible in upcoming images.

Scientists are currently analyzing data to determine the comet's composition, while ESA’s Juice spacecraft is set to observe it again in November, with findings anticipated in February.

While NASA confirms that 3I/ATLAS is a comet and poses no threat, some have described it as ‘possibly hostile’ due to concerns it might cause chaos on planet Earth. Harvard physicist Loeb has also questioned whether this unusual object is natural at all.

In a recent blog entry, he discussed how the US government might react if 3I/ATLAS were indeed an alien probe. His response isn't particularly comforting...

Loeb noted that, to his knowledge, there are 'no protocols for responding to the discovery of operational alien devices near Earth.' Wonderful!

"A visitor in our backyard demands immediate attention because it could enter through the front door and pose an imminent threat," he cautioned.

He mentioned that in 2005, Congress assigned NASA the task of identifying 90 percent of space rocks larger than 140 meters that could collide with us.

However, he also highlighted that alien technology is far less predictable than rocks.

Scientist Avi Loeb has proposed the creation of a new committee for interstellar space objects

Loeb stated, 'We currently lack a contingency plan for detecting and responding to such threats.'

However, the expert is actively taking steps to address this issue.

Last week, he and two other scientists submitted a white paper to the United Nations, urging the formation of a committee to tackle 'potential threats from interstellar objects.'

The proposed UN committee, UNCIO, would manage the global response to interstellar objects by rapidly identifying them, safely studying them, and determining the appropriate response if one appears unusual or dangerous. It would unite scientists, governments, and space agencies to share telescope data, initiate quick investigation missions, and establish international guidelines for studying or communicating with any potentially technological object.

The closest approach of 3I/ATLAS to Earth is expected to be 269 million miles on December 19, 2025. Space agencies continue to assure that it poses no threat to us.

Only time will reveal the outcome...