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NASA Affirms 3I/ATLAS as Natural Comet; Loeb’s Alien-Probe Theory Faces Scrutiny

Precovery observations from TESS have revealed distant activity at about 6.4 astronomical units, prompting intensified imaging before its October perihelion.

Overview

  • NASA and international observatories confirm 3I/ATLAS is a natural interstellar comet posing no threat to Earth.
  • TESS precovery photometry indicates the object showed cometary activity near 6.4 astronomical units from the Sun.
  • Avi Loeb’s non–peer-reviewed paper explores an alien-probe scenario and proposes a Juno spacecraft intercept in March 2026.
  • Mainstream astronomers dismiss artificial-technology claims, attributing the comet’s trajectory and brightness to outgassing and dust emissions.
  • 3I/ATLAS is expected to reach perihelion on October 30 at roughly 130 million miles from Earth, driving ongoing spectral and imaging campaigns.