Harvard physicist claims interstellar object could be alien probe

In July 2025, astronomers identified a rare interstellar object known as 3I/ATLAS as it passed through our solar system. Detected by an ATLAS telescope in Chile, this marked only the third occurrence of an interstellar object entering our vicinity, according to NASA. The object measures approximately 20 kilometers across and displays an unusual brightness. Harvard University physicist Dr. Avi Loeb pointed out that its trajectory aligns improbably well with planetary orbits, suggesting a potential design that could indicate it is more than just a comet. Loeb emphasized the object’s peculiar glow appearing in front of it rather than trailing behind, which is atypical for comets. This observation, along with its expected close passes to Mars and Venus, raises questions regarding its origins and purpose. Should the findings support the notion of technological origins, it could have significant implications for humanity's understanding of extraterrestrial life and our response to it. These revelations are stirring discussions in scientific communities, with calls to refine methods for monitoring such interstellar objects in the future.