October 31, 2025

3I Atlas Photo Cover-Up EXPOSED? Avi Loeb Harvard Update on Interstellar Mystery

51 minutes

Here are three notable statements by Avi Loeb regarding the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS (also known as C/2023 A3).
1. It could be technological or engineered

Loeb proposes that 3I/ATLAS might not be a simple natural object, but one with artificial or engineered features. Example quotes:

He writes that “this object could be technological, and possibly hostile as would be expected from the ‘Dark Forest’ resolution to the Fermi Paradox.”

He suggests that if it “generates its own light, then it could be much smaller than expected …”

Loeb also suggests the trajectory may be “fine-tuned” or “optimized” for a visit through our Solar System rather than a random interstellar path.

His position is one of possibility, not firm conclusion; he often emphasizes that the scenario is unlikely but worth considering because of its implications.

2. It shows several “anomalies” compared to known comets or interstellar objects

Loeb has pointed out multiple features that he claims cannot be easily explained under typical comet/asteroid models. Some specific anomalies he highlights:

Its trajectory is close to the ecliptic plane (i.e., aligns within ~5° of the planetary orbital plane) — this, he argues, makes a random entry statistically unlikely.

It produced a “sunward jet” or anti-tail (i.e., an emission or structure pointing toward the Sun) which he says is atypical for known comets.

It exhibits an “extreme negative polarization” signature (a polarization measurement of –2.77 % at a particular phase angle) which he says is significantly different from all known comets.

He also notes compositional oddities: in his blog he mentions, for example, a large nickel:iron ratio and small water fraction in the outgassed material.

In short: Loeb treats 3I/ATLAS as anomalous, and argues that such anomalies elevate interest in the artificial-origin hypothesis.

3. While it may be artificial, we mustn’t ignore the natural hypothesis

Even though Loeb emphasizes the possibility of an artificial origin, he is careful to maintain that the most probable outcome still remains that 3I/ATLAS is a natural object. For example:

In a blog post, he wrote: “As of now, 3I/ATLAS appears most likely to be a natural comet. But the remote possibility … must be considered seriously as a black-swan event with a small probability, because of its huge implications for humanity.”

Similarly, in press coverage he is quoted: “By far, the most likely outcome will be that 3I/ATLAS is a completely natural interstellar object, probably a comet.”

He therefore positions his artificial-origin hypothesis as speculative, but worth preparing for — especially given the stakes if such a hypothesis turned out to be true.