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3I/Atlas was discovered by NASA’s ATLAS telescope on July 1, 2025. It is the third observed interstellar object to ever enter our solar system. (Photo: X/@forallcurious) 3IATLAS, an interstellar comet, has kept all the astronomers, scientists, and even NASA on edge and intrigued ever since its discovery. Several theories around its structure and shape have surfaced, sparking debates among keen observers. One of the scientists who has been studying and analyzing 3IATLAS closely is Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb, who has claimed that there is a 40% chance the comet is alien technology.The interstellar comet 3I/Atlas was discovered by NASA’s ATLAS telescope on July 1, 2025. It is the third observed interstellar object to ever enter our solar system. Loeb has accused the American space agency of withholding critical information about the interstellar object. The Manhattan-sized interstellar comet, according to Loeb, could have extraterrestrial origins.The Harvard astrophysicist made these allegations during a recent appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast. While speaking on the podcast, Loeb highlighted how the intergalactic object seemed to defy comet behavior. He elaborated as to how the jet-like emission pointed toward the sun and not away, like it is standard, and that he didn’t “see any cometary tail here.”Perihelion for 3I/ATLAS is set to take place on October 30, 2025 when the interstellar interloper will be 1.35 astronomical units (125 million miles, or 202 million kilometers) from the sun (One astronomical unit is the average Earth-sun distance — about 93 million miles, or 150 million km.). Perihelion is the point in an object's orbit where it is closest to the sun.Loeb’s claim against NASALive Events“Amazingly, the best image was obtained on Oct. 2, 2025, when 3I/ATLAS came within 30 million kilometers of Mars,” Harvard scientist Loeb said. He added, “Amazingly, the best image was obtained on Oct. 2, 2025, when 3I/ATLAS came within 30 million kilometers of Mars.” “ I wrote to the principal investigator of HiRISE, asking, ‘Can I get the data? I’m a scientist,'” claimed Loeb, who said that he received “no response.”He claimed that he was asked if this was evidence that NASA hides some sensational data, to which he responded, “It’s much more likely not to be related to extraterrestrial intelligence but to terrestrial stupidity.” As of yet, NASA has not confirmed any such photograph or withholding of said image. The New York Post has reached out to NASA for comment.During the "Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, Loeb suggested that the photo might have given counterevidence to NASA’s claim that a typical jet changed into a typical comet tail in September 2025. Previously, Loeb had speculated that 3I/ATLAS could be extraterrestrial in origin for several reasons.What has NASA officially said about 3IATLASAccording to NASA’s official position, the interstellar object does not pose a threat to Earth and could even provide invaluable intel that would help us protect the planet in the future.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Read More News on3IATLASNASAAvi Loebinterstellar comet3IATLAS comet (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates....moreless (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News on3IATLASNASAAvi Loebinterstellar comet3IATLAS comet(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates....moreless Explore More Stories123
