Harvard Astrophysicist Links Comet’s Acceleration to Possible Alien Technology

On October 29 and 30, the astronomical community observed a significant event concerning the comet 3I/ATLAS, which has drawn attention for its unusual trajectory. Professor Avi Loeb, a prominent astrophysicist at Harvard University, has raised the possibility that the comet’s non-gravitational acceleration may indicate a technological signature from an extraterrestrial source. This assertion builds on his previous concerns regarding the comet’s peculiar behavior as it approaches the sun.

Unusual Trajectory and Anomalies

Loeb has identified multiple anomalies in 3I/ATLAS’s behavior, flagging at least eight distinct characteristics that deviate from expected cometary norms. A critical factor in assessing the nature of this interstellar object was its acceleration during perihelion, the point where it is closest to the sun. According to a recent blog post by Loeb, the comet exhibited its first evidence of non-gravitational acceleration on that date.

This finding was reported by Davide Farnoccia, a navigation engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, who holds a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Pisa in Italy. Farnoccia noted that the non-gravitational acceleration was recorded at a perihelion distance of 1.36 astronomical units (AU), which is approximately 203 million kilometers from the sun.

The acceleration exhibited two components within 3I/ATLAS’s orbital plane, adding to the scientific intrigue surrounding this object. Loeb suggests that this non-gravitational acceleration could potentially signify the presence of an internal engine.

Color Change and Future Observations

Another striking aspect of 3I/ATLAS is its unexpected blue color, observed as it neared perihelion. Typically, comets appear redder due to the effects of dust scattering sunlight. Given that 3I/ATLAS is expected to be around 20 times colder than the sun’s photosphere, which is approximately 5,800 degrees Kelvin, this blue hue raises further questions about its composition and nature.

Loeb has categorized this blue appearance as the ninth anomaly in a series of unexpected properties of the comet. Despite skepticism among some scientists, Loeb remains optimistic about further observations. He has highlighted that on December 19, 2025, 3I/ATLAS will pass closest to Earth at a distance of 269 million kilometers, offering a prime opportunity for ground-based telescopes and space observatories, including the Hubble and James Webb telescopes, to study it more closely.

This forthcoming approach may provide critical insights into the comet’s origin and the validity of the hypotheses that suggest a link to extraterrestrial intelligence.

As the scientific community prepares for this potential observational milestone, the implications of 3I/ATLAS continue to stimulate debate about the existence of advanced civilizations beyond our planet.