Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS could use solar gravity for unprecedented maneuver, warns Harvard’s Avi Loeb

An audacious proposal from astrophysicist Avi Loeb, from Universidade from Harvard, puts the scientific community on alert for the events that will occur in October. The expert suggests that the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, discovered in mid-2025, could perform a complex acceleration maneuver as it approaches Sol, taking advantage of the star’s intense gravity to gain speed in a way that would be highly unlikely for an ordinary comet.

The hypothesis focuses on an event that would happen during the object’s perihelion, its point of closest approach to Sol, scheduled for October 29th. The moment is particularly critical, as 3I/ATLAS will be hidden from direct observation of Terra due to a phenomenon known as solar conjunction, which begins on October 21st. Essa “cosmic curtain” prevents ground-based telescopes from monitoring the object for a period of eight days, opening a window for undetectable activity.

3I/ATLAS travels at a speed of more than 30 km/s on a hyperbolic trajectory, which confirms its origin from outside our Sistema Solar. Desde its identification, the object has been the target of intense monitoring by space agencies and observatories around the world, which seek to understand its nature and predict its future behavior, especially after passing through Sol.

The ‘black swan’ hypothesis of Harvard

Avi Loeb classifies his own theory as a “black swan” event, a term used to describe occurrences of very low probability, but with transformative consequences if they materialize. The maneuver in question, known as the Oberth effect, is a principle of astrodynamics where a rocket engine, when activated at the point of greatest orbital speed, generates a much greater increase in kinetic energy than at any other point in the trajectory. Para a spacecraft, this is the most efficient technique for achieving maximum acceleration. Loeb’s suggestion is that if 3I/ATLAS is of technological origin, it could use this maneuver about 203 million kilometers from Sol to drastically alter its course or speed, an action that would be covered up by the solar conjunction. The non-gravitational acceleration already detected, of 5.9 x 10^{-5} AU/day², although attributed to the ejection of material, fuels speculation about controlled propulsion.

Unusual Interstellar Visitor Features

Initial skepticism regarding the nature of 3I/ATLAS has been challenged by a series of anomalies. The object exhibits at least eight characteristics that deviate from the expected behavior of a comet. Essas peculiarities led Loeb to classify it at level 4 of its scale for possible technological origins. Entre the most intriguing points is its composition, which suggests a wealth of nickel, an unusual element in comets in our system. Além Furthermore, the strong negative polarization of the light reflected by its surface indicates the possibility of it being metallic.

Another notable factor is the presence of a jet of material that, in July and August, was observed pointing directly towards Sol, an atypical behavior, as comet tails normally point in the opposite direction due to the pressure of solar radiation. Seu alignment with the ecliptic plane, with an inclination of just 5 degrees, is also statistically rare. The mass loss, estimated at 2 million tons by October, although significant, represents only a small fraction of its total structure, estimated at 33 billion tons, suggesting remarkable structural resilience.

The period of concealment and its implications

The solar conjunction, which begins on October 21, is the central point of the Loeb hypothesis. Durante this period, Sol will position itself directly between Terra and 3I/ATLAS, blocking the view of all optical and radio telescopes based on our planet.

This strategic concealment provides an ideal setting for any action that should not be observed. Loeb speculates that, in addition to an acceleration maneuver, the object could take advantage of the occasion to release smaller artifacts, such as mini-probes, aimed at Sistema Solar’s inner planets.

The global astronomical community, coordinated by the Centro of Planetas Menores and the Rede Internacional of Alerta of Asteroides (IAWN), is aware of the event. Teams are preparing for intensive monitoring as soon as the object reappears, looking for any deviation in its trajectory that cannot be explained by natural gravitational forces.

The scientific debate about the origin of 3I/ATLAS

Despite the anomalies, the natural explanation is still the most accepted by most scientists. NASA, for example, officially classifies 3I/ATLAS as an interstellar comet of natural origin, a conclusion based on observations that show cometary characteristics.

Images obtained in September by Telescópio Óptico Nórdico, located at

Theoretical models developed by Loeb in collaboration with Eric Keto attempt to explain the initial solar jet as a result of the sublimation of different types of ice on its surface. Vaporization at varying rates could, in theory, explain the formation of a temporary anti-solar tail.

Scientists like Jason Wright of Penn State University argue that although the features are unusual, similar deviations have been observed in comets from other systems, and that Loeb’s statistics may not be conclusive. The debate remains heated, awaiting the data that will be collected after perihelion.

Energy potential and technological possibilities

At the point of closest approach to Sol, 3I/ATLAS will be bombarded by a colossal amount of energy. Estima is expected to receive more than 33 gigawatts of solar radiation, a power equivalent to approximately a third of the entire nuclear energy production of the Estados Unidos. If the object is an artificial construct, this energy could be harnessed to power advanced propulsion systems, recharge energy reserves or perform complex operations.

The Oberth maneuver, in particular, relies on this proximity to maximize efficiency. An impulse applied in the direction of velocity at perihelion results in the greatest possible kinetic gain. On the other hand, a reverse thrust would allow a controlled deceleration, even making it possible to capture the object in a stable orbit around Sol, a prospect that intrigues and scares the scientific community.

Global surveillance and next steps

Rede Internacional of Alerta of Asteroides (IAWN) issued an editorial note in October highlighting the importance of continued monitoring of 3I/ATLAS. Telescópios around the world, especially those capable of performing detailed spectral analysis, will be focused on the object as it leaves solar conjunction. The main priority will be to detect any changes in its speed, rotation or trajectory that could confirm or refute the most exotic hypotheses. Loeb recommends that searches focus on finding derived objects or fragments that may have been released during passage, as this would be an unmistakable sign of unnatural activity.

The mother probe theory and its speculations

Based on the accumulation of anomalies, Avi Loeb assigns a 40% probability that 3I/ATLAS has an artificial origin. Sua A more elaborate theory is that the object would be a “mother probe”, designed to travel between stellar systems and, upon finding a planetary system of interest, release smaller probes for detailed exploration. The object’s original trajectory would take it out of Sistema Solar after passing through Sol, but a correction maneuver could change this destination.

The scientific community, for the most part, remains skeptical, awaiting concrete evidence. The decisive tests will take place in November and December, when 3I/ATLAS will approach Terra, reaching its shortest distance on December 19th. Post-perihelion observations will be crucial in unlocking the secrets of this mysterious interstellar visitor and determining whether it is just an icy rock from another star or something much more significant.