A mystery object recently spotted in space has sparked intriguing and terrifying theories about its true nature. According to a new study by Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb and his colleagues, the object — 3I/ATLAS — could be an alien spacecraft possibly coming to attack Earth. The object, which is about the size of Manhattan, is hurtling through our Solar System at an extraordinary speed, and the researchers suggest that it may be alien technology with a hidden agenda. 
Earlier this month, astronomers confirmed the discovery of this rare interstellar visitor, the third of its kind to ever be detected. This mysterious object is traveling at more than 60 kilometers per second and has an unusual orbit that brings it very close to planets like Venus, Mars, and Jupiter — an event with an astronomically low probability of occurring naturally, with less than 0.005% chance. The paper proposes that its path could be intentional, perhaps making it easier for an intelligent alien craft to approach Earth undetected.
The object’s trajectory is such that when it gets closest to the Sun in late November, it will be hidden from Earth’s view, allowing it to execute a surprise maneuver that could slow it down, allowing it to stay in the Solar System undetected and prepare for a potential attack. The researchers acknowledge that their hypothesis is purely theoretical and speculative, but they caution that, should it turn out to be true, the consequences could be dire for humanity. 
Avi Loeb, who previously gained attention for suggesting that the interstellar object ʻOumuamua might have been an alien probe, is not the only one raising alarms. His co-authors, Adam Hibberd and Adam Crowl from the Initiative for Interstellar Studies, emphasize that their paper is an interesting exercise in analysis, though they don’t necessarily believe the theory to be true. However, they do suggest that if this alien hypothesis proves accurate, defensive measures might be needed — though they acknowledge that any defense might be futile. 
The researchers make it clear that this paper is purely hypothetical, and they do not claim to know the true nature of 3I/ATLAS. However, they urge caution and propose further investigation into the object’s origins and trajectory.
As we approach late November, when 3I/ATLAS will be closest to the Sun, the mystery of its purpose may become clearer — or even more unsettling. Is this object truly a harbinger of doom, or is it simply a cosmic anomaly? Only time will tell. 