In a recent development, 3I/ATLAS has exhibited first-ever non-gravitational acceleration when it reached its closest distance of 203 million kilometers from the Sun on October, 29.
The unusual activity has once again deepened the mystery over the interstellar object’s origins, whether it is a comet formed of dust and clouds or an “alien probe” or “Trojan Horse.”
The measurements were taken at Perihelion when the 3I/ATLAS was at a distance of 203 million kilometers from the Sun. Based on the data, the mysterious object exhibited non-gravitational acceleration, causing a deviation of about 10 times the Earth’s radius.
The recent but crucial data bring forth two competing explanations regarding the nature of 3I/ATLAS.
According to Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, the interstellar visit did not follow the pull of gravity at perihelion. At its closest point to the Sun, 3I/ATLAS showed signs of an extra push, moving not just outward but sideways too.
Prof Loeb also has come up with two explanations. If the non-gravitational manoeuvre is because of the force from gas ejection, a phenomenon shown by the comet, then the object will lose a massive mass ratio in just a few months.
The rapid loss in tenth of its mass will be observed by the European Space Agency’s (ESA) juice spacecraft in the first week of November. The other telescopes, such as Hubble and Webb can observe the phenomenon in December.
The data collected by these telescopes will reveal the cometary nature of 3I/ATLAS.
As per Prof Loeb’s another hypothesis, the defiance to gravity could be the “technological signature of an internal engine,” thereby dispelling the natural origin of the interstellar visitor.
Another distinguished anomaly supports Loeb’s hypothesis of 3I/ATLAS being an alien probe.
As per another report, 3I/ATLAS brightened suddenly and turned blue, more bluer than the Sun.
This anomaly goes against the cometary nature as dust always makes comets redder, not bluer.
Hence, unexpected “blue appearance” is considered as the ninth anomaly of 3I/ATLAS, which can be explained by a hot engine.
According to the Harvard professor, the scientific community should take into account all anomalies to understand the nature and origin of the 3I/ATLAS interstellar object.