Comet 3I/ATLAS — Courier of an Extraterrestrial Mission?
World
The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, discovered this summer, might not be just an ancient cosmic object, but a “courier” delivering research probes to Jupiter. This hypothesis was proposed by Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb.
According to Loeb, the comet’s mission was to reach Jupiter’s sphere of gravitational influence — the Hill radius, where the planet’s gravity dominates over the Sun’s.
The scientist pointed out the comet’s non-gravitational acceleration, which was likely a carefully calculated maneuver to reach the target precisely. Without this adjustment, the object could have missed the Hill radius.
“The level of non-gravitational acceleration was precisely calibrated to bring 3I/ATLAS exactly to Jupiter’s gravitational radius,” Loeb said.
He also noted that if astronomers in the future detect unusual technological objects in Jupiter’s system, it could indirectly confirm his hypothesis and indicate extraterrestrial civilizations’ particular interest in the gas giant.
The scientist pointed out the comet’s non-gravitational acceleration, which was likely a carefully calculated maneuver to reach the target precisely. Without this adjustment, the object could have missed the Hill radius.
“The level of non-gravitational acceleration was precisely calibrated to bring 3I/ATLAS exactly to Jupiter’s gravitational radius,” Loeb said.
He also noted that if astronomers in the future detect unusual technological objects in Jupiter’s system, it could indirectly confirm his hypothesis and indicate extraterrestrial civilizations’ particular interest in the gas giant.
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