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Interstellar Object's Mysterious Glow Sparks Spacecraft Speculation
18 Aug
Summary
- Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS emitting its own light, unlike typical comets
- Astrophysicist Avi Loeb suggests it could be an artificial, nuclear-powered spacecraft
- Object's unusual trajectory and lack of comet-like features add to the mystery
As of August 19, 2025, a mysterious interstellar object dubbed 3I/ATLAS is set to make its closest approach to Earth on December 17, 2025. However, recent findings have sparked speculation that this object may not be a natural comet as previously believed.
According to Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, 3I/ATLAS appears to be generating its own light, similar to a vehicle turning on its headlights. This discovery, made through observations with the Hubble Space Telescope in July 2025, is a stark contrast to how typical comets reflect sunlight.
Loeb suggests that the object's self-illumination could indicate it is an artificial, nuclear-powered spacecraft, rather than a natural space rock. The object's brightness also decreases sharply with distance, further challenging the comet theory.
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Adding to the mystery, 3I/ATLAS has been found to be on an extremely unusual course that would take it close to Venus, Mars, and Jupiter. Astronomers estimate the chances of a natural space rock randomly flying along such a path to be less than 0.005 percent.
As scientists eagerly await the object's closer approach in the coming months, the debate continues over whether 3I/ATLAS is a comet or something more extraordinary - perhaps a craft from another part of the galaxy.
