Harvard Professor Proposes Intercepting Mysterious Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS

Harvard astrophysicist Professor Avi Loeb has proposed an ambitious plan to study a recently discovered interstellar object known as 3I/ATLAS, which is currently on an unusual path through our solar system. Loeb believes the object’s speed, trajectory, and unique characteristics may point to more than just a natural comet — and could even suggest it is alien technology.

An Object Unlike Ordinary Comets

3I/ATLAS has drawn attention due to its extremely unusual trajectory. It is moving too fast to be bound by the Sun’s gravity, breaking away from the orbital patterns typically seen in comets and asteroids. Loeb notes that the object’s path is remarkably aligned with Earth’s orbit and its arrival timing is unusually precise, passing near multiple planets — including Jupiter, Mars, and Venus — in a way that is statistically improbable.

According to Loeb, the chances of such an alignment occurring naturally are incredibly small — roughly 1 in 500 for the orbital alignment and 1 in 20,000 for the timing. This rare combination raises questions about whether the object’s path could have been engineered.

The Possibility of Alien Technology

While Loeb stresses that more data is needed before making definitive claims, he suggests that the characteristics of 3I/ATLAS could be consistent with an artificial origin. He previously introduced the concept of a “Richter scale” for interstellar objects, rating them from 0 (entirely natural) to 10 (clearly engineered). At present, he places 3I/ATLAS somewhere in the middle, pending further observations.

“The fun of doing science,” Loeb explained, “is that you can ask questions first and then answer them with data.”

The Juno Spacecraft Proposal

One of the main challenges in studying such fast-moving interstellar visitors is the difficulty of intercepting them. By the time 3I/ATLAS reaches its closest point to the Sun, it will be traveling in the opposite direction to Earth’s motion, making a launch from Earth impractical.

However, Loeb sees an opportunity in NASA’s Juno spacecraft, currently orbiting Jupiter and nearing the end of its mission. Originally planned to be sent into Jupiter’s atmosphere in September 2025, Juno could instead be redirected. With the right propulsion maneuver, Loeb says, it could intercept 3I/ATLAS in March 2026 when the object passes relatively close to Jupiter.

This would allow humanity to study the object up close, potentially gathering high-resolution data that could determine whether it is natural or technological in origin.

Political Interest in the Mission

The idea has already caught the attention of U.S. lawmakers. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna has written to NASA encouraging the agency to explore the feasibility of using Juno for such a mission.

While no decision has been made, the proposal reflects a growing interest — both scientific and political — in proactively investigating unidentified interstellar objects rather than letting them pass by without direct study.

Why It Matters

If approved, the mission could mark the first intentional interception of an interstellar object, providing an unprecedented opportunity to examine material from beyond our solar system. Whether 3I/ATLAS turns out to be a natural phenomenon or a sign of extraterrestrial engineering, the data could reshape our understanding of cosmic visitors.

As Loeb put it, studying such objects is not only about scientific curiosity but also about assessing potential risks and preparing for future encounters.