There has been much discussion in the news about an interstellar comet known as 3I/ATLAS. What makes this object remarkable is its immense size and extraordinary speed. Scientists continue to debate its nature and trajectory, with some even suggesting that 3I/ATLAS might not be a comet at all but an alien craft. These theories are not coming from casual enthusiasts but from respected figures within the scientific community.
I find the comet itself fascinating, but even more compelling are the reactions of scientists who are willing to entertain the possibility that it is a UFO. Many of these same individuals would have once dismissed the idea of intelligent life beyond Earth outright. They are now making bold statements that could jeopardise their reputations and even put their careers at risk. Within the scientific community, opinions differ sharply on what 3I/ATLAS could be. NASA, for its part, has limited its response to a cautious statement that more data is needed.
I am neither a scientist nor an astronomer, so I cannot speculate with authority about what this object might be. We may have clearer information in a few months when it passes closer to our planet. In the meantime, I admire the pragmatic stance of some scientists who show courage even if their theories are ultimately proven wrong. Science itself has evolved, shifting from rigid extremes to a more nuanced perspective. I have been watching Harvard professor Avi Loeb discuss 3I/ATLAS, noting his opinion that it could be intelligently controlled. Yet he also acknowledges that he may be mistaken, reminding us that scientists, too, are fallible.
Perhaps one day science will also concede that it was wrong about other mysteries, such as the paranormal and life after death. Until then, we can be reassured that, according to NASA, 3I/ATLAS poses no immediate threat to Earth.
