Harvard scientist warns interstellar object may be alien tech heading for Mars
By isabelle // 2025-09-05
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  • Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb suggests interstellar object 3I/ATLAS may be extraterrestrial technology.
  • Loeb theorizes 3I/ATLAS could release a mini-probe targeting Mars on October 3.
  • The object’s precise trajectory near Jupiter, Mars, and Venus suggests intelligent design, not random cosmic chance.
  • NASA and ESA spacecraft will monitor the flyby, potentially capturing evidence of artificial objects.
  • If confirmed, this could be the first proof of extraterrestrial technology in our solar system.
When a mysterious object from deep space was first spotted hurtling toward our solar system, astronomers assumed it was just another comet. But now, Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, a scientist with more than 800 published papers, is raising a far more explosive possibility: What if it’s not natural at all? What if it’s an extraterrestrial spacecraft, and it’s about to send a probe smashing into Mars? The object, named 3I/ATLAS, was detected earlier this year and is set to make its closest approach to Mars on October 3, passing within just 18.6 million miles of the Red Planet. While most scientists still classify it as a comet spewing massive amounts of carbon dioxide, Loeb isn’t buying it. In a recent blog post, he argued that the object’s highly unusual trajectory—bringing it suspiciously close to Jupiter, Mars, and Venus—suggests intelligent design, not random cosmic chance.

A hidden companion probe?

Loeb’s latest theory goes even further. He now believes 3I/ATLAS may be carrying an unseen "precursor mini-probe", which is a smaller craft that could detach and intentionally collide with Mars before the main object passes by. If true, this wouldn’t just be a scientific curiosity; it would be the first confirmed evidence of extraterrestrial technology in our solar system. So how could this happen? According to Loeb’s calculations, a tiny adjustment in speed of just 6.2 to 9.3 miles per second could send a fragment of 3I/ATLAS crashing into Mars. For a natural comet, that kind of precision maneuvering would be impossible. But if 3I/ATLAS is artificial, equipped with thrusters or some form of propulsion, it could easily make that correction. According to Loeb, the "ejection of icy fragments from the surface of a natural comet" could only explain a fraction of such a correction. Therefore, if "materials" from 3I/ATLAS do make their way to Mars next month, it could be considered a "potential signature of technology."

Why Mars? Why now?

The timing is critical. On October 3, NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) and ESA’s Mars Express will have a front-row seat to the flyby. If Loeb is right, these spacecraft could detect unexplained objects separating from 3I/ATLAS—objects too small for Earth-based telescopes to see. Loeb has long been a vocal proponent of the idea that interstellar objects like 3I/ATLAS and ‘Oumuamua (the first detected interstellar visitor in 2017) could be artificial. His arguments have sparked fierce debate in the scientific community, with many dismissing his theories as speculative. But Loeb isn’t backing down.

A comet, or something far stranger?

Most astronomers still insist 3I/ATLAS is just a weird comet. Recent observations from the James Webb Space Telescope revealed it’s releasing 940 trillion molecules of CO2 per second, which aligns with cometary behavior. But Loeb points out that its trajectory is far too precise to be random. "Natural objects don’t fine-tune their paths to come so close to multiple planets," he argued. "The probability of that happening by chance is extremely low." If Loeb is correct, the implications are staggering. We may be witnessing an alien civilization’s attempt to study our solar system—just as we study theirs. And if a probe does impact Mars, it could leave behind physical evidence of extraterrestrial technology, waiting to be discovered by future missions.

The world isn’t ready for this conversation

Of course, the scientific establishment remains skeptical. The idea that an interstellar object could be artificial is still considered fringe by many. But Loeb isn’t some conspiracy theorist; he’s the former chair of Harvard’s Astronomy Department, a respected researcher with decades of peer-reviewed work. His persistence raises an important question: Why are we so quick to dismiss the possibility of intelligent life beyond Earth? If 3I/ATLAS is artificial, then humanity is not alone—and we may be under observation. Over the next few weeks, astronomers will train every available telescope on 3I/ATLAS as it nears Mars. The European Space Agency (ESA) has already confirmed that its Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter will attempt to capture images and spectral data. NASA’s MRO and MAVEN orbiters may also join the effort. If Loeb’s theory holds, we could soon have undeniable proof that we’re not alone in the universe. And if a probe does crash into Mars? That changes everything. Sources for this article include: Futurism.com DailyMail.co.uk Space.com
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