Home / Science / Interstellar Object's 'Heartbeat' Glows Brighter Near Earth
Interstellar Object's 'Heartbeat' Glows Brighter Near Earth
4 Dec
Summary
- Object 3I/ATLAS emits gas and dust in rhythmic bursts every 16.16 hours.
- Pulsing causes object's glow to brighten and dim by 20 to 40 percent.
- Harvard Professor Avi Loeb suggests object might be unnatural.
Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is displaying an unusual 'heartbeat,' emitting rhythmic jets of gas and dust every 16.16 hours. This precise pulsing causes its luminosity to increase by 20 to 40 percent in a repeating cycle, a characteristic that has sparked debate about its nature. While official agencies like NASA and ESA maintain it is a comet, some experts are questioning this classification.
Harvard Professor Avi Loeb, a proponent of investigating anomalous phenomena, has highlighted that the object's pulsing is difficult to explain with natural comet behavior. He notes that the light originates from the coma, yet the distinct, strong pulses from the rocky core don't align with expected dissipation. Loeb has previously pointed out 12 anomalies associated with 3I/ATLAS, including its direction of a cometary tail and unexpected course changes.
Despite the ongoing scientific discussion, 3I/ATLAS poses no threat to Earth, with its closest approach scheduled for December 19. Observations during this close pass are crucial for preparing for potential future cosmic threats. Meanwhile, scientists continue to analyze the object's unique characteristics, with some remaining open to the possibility that 3I/ATLAS could be technological in origin.
