Key Highlights
- Astronomer Avi Loeb suggests Comet 3I/ATLAS might be an alien spaceship.
- Comet 3I/ATLAS is the third known interstellar comet to enter our solar system.
- Professor Mark Norris argues that the comet is a natural object, not artificial.
- The comet’s “anti-tail” phenomenon is being studied by scientists for better understanding.
Newspiece: Spurious Reports Claim Alien Spaceship in Our Solar System
Space enthusiasts and conspiracy theorists alike have been abuzz over the past few weeks with reports suggesting that an alien spaceship might have entered our solar system. The object in question is Comet 3I/ATLAS, which was discovered this summer and has sparked a wave of speculation due to its unusual characteristics.
Professor Avi Loeb’s Claims
In a recent development, Harvard University Professor Avi Loeb, who previously made headlines with his claims about the interstellar object ʻOumuamua being an alien probe, has once again drawn attention. According to Loeb, Comet 3I/ATLAS is moving in ways that suggest it could be performing manoeuvres as it travels through our solar system.
Loeb’s colleague has also suggested that the comet might have a “tail” pointing in front of its direction of travel, which is unusual for comets and indicative of artificial origin. However, Loeb stopped short of outright claiming that Comet 3I/ATLAS is an alien spacecraft, instead positing it as a possibility worth exploring further.
Scientific Community’s Response
The claims made by Professor Loeb have not gone unnoticed in the scientific community. Mark Norris, a senior lecturer in astronomy at the University of Lancashire, has taken to social media platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter) to debunk the notion that Comet 3I/ATLAS is an alien spaceship.
Norris stated: “Despite claims that 3I/Atlas may be an alien spaceship, a growing body of observations reveals that it is a natural comet, not a probe from a distant corner of the Milky Way.” He went on to explain some of the peculiarities of Comet 3I/ATLAS but emphasized that these did not prove its artificial origin. Norris also highlighted that the comet’s orbit and composition are consistent with those of other comets.
The “Anti-Tail” Phenomenon
One of the most intriguing aspects of Comet 3I/ATLAS is its so-called “anti-tail.” Unlike typical comets, which have tails pointing away from the Sun, this comet has a tail that points in the direction it is traveling. This phenomenon is not unprecedented but remains rare and warrants further investigation according to scientists.
“Just to be clear – given recent drivel on line – Comet 3I/Atlas is a comet, made of carbon dioxide and water ices and bits of other stuff,” Norris wrote. “It is entirely natural in origin, its orbit is as expected and it will whizz around the sun and then disappear off into the galaxy again.”
Norris concluded by expressing hope that if Comet 3I/ATLAS ever encounters another inhabited solar system in the future, the inhabitants would appreciate it for what it is—a natural visitor from elsewhere in the galaxy.
Conclusion
The debate over whether Comet 3I/ATLAS is an alien spaceship or a naturally occurring object continues. While Professor Avi Loeb’s claims have sparked interest and discussion, the scientific consensus leans towards the former being a natural comet based on current observations and data.
As researchers continue to study this interstellar visitor, it remains a fascinating subject for both astronomers and the general public alike. Whether or not Comet 3I/ATLAS turns out to be an alien spacecraft, its presence in our solar system has undoubtedly added new intrigue to the field of astronomy.
