3I/ATLAS Interstellar Comet : What is the 40% Alien Claim, How Close Will It Pass to Earth, and the Truth Behind NASA’s Warning

This year is incredibly exciting for space enthusiasts! Scientists have recently discovered a new interstellar comet — named 3I/ATLAS. It is the third such object to arrive from outside our solar system, leaving scientists astonished. But it’s making headlines because some experts have claimed there’s a “40% chance it involves alien technology”!

What exactly is this claim? How close will it come to Earth? And is it really a warning of danger? Let’s dive into the details.

What is 3I/ATLAS?

3I/ATLAS is an interstellar comet, meaning a comet that has come from outside our solar system.

“3I” means it is the third confirmed interstellar object — the previous two were ‘Oumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019).

This comet was discovered in July 2025 by the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey. Its speed is about 200,000 kilometers per hour, and it is traveling in a hyperbolic orbit around the Sun — meaning it will never return.

What’s the Story Behind the “40% Alien Technology” Claim?

This discussion started when Harvard University astrophysicist Avi Loeb stated that this object has some characteristics that don’t match typical comets.

He said that its speed, direction, and light reflection are so unusual that there’s about a “40% probability” it could be a technological artifact from an alien civilization (Alien Technology) — like an abandoned space probe.

However, he himself added that “there’s a 60% chance it’s just a natural comet.”

 In other words, this “alien object” claim is not a verified fact, but rather a scientific speculation (speculative hypothesis).

NASA and other astronomical institutions still consider it a natural interstellar comet.

Will It Come Close to Earth?

No — absolutely not.

According to NASA’s data, 3I/ATLAS will pass Earth at a distance of about 1.8 astronomical units (AU).

 1 AU = the distance between Earth and the Sun, which is about 150 million kilometers.

Thus, it will remain about 270 million kilometers away from us — which is even beyond Mars’ orbit.

Therefore, there is no possibility of it colliding with Earth or posing any danger.

What’s the Secret Behind the Scientists’ Warning?

Scientists used the word “warning” regarding this object because it is changing very rapidly.

• Its gas and dust emission (outgassing) has suddenly increased.
• Some “non-gravitational acceleration” has also been observed, meaning it is changing its direction beyond gravitational influences.
• Because of this, scientists are calling it “a unique astronomical laboratory” that can teach us more mysteries of the universe.

According to NASA, it will come closest to the Sun at about 1.4 AU (210 million kilometers) — meaning it’s completely safe.

Why is 3I/ATLAS Special?

• It is one of only three interstellar visitors discovered so far.
• Its CO₂ and H₂O ratio is very different from typical comets.
• As it passes through our solar system, it will tell us how comets form in other star systems.

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Mysterious but Far from Danger

3I/ATLAS is incredibly exciting from a scientific perspective — it is giving us a glimpse of materials from outside our solar system.

The “40% alien technology” talk is certainly sensational in the media, but there is no solid evidence for it.

The truth is that 3I/ATLAS poses no threat to Earth; instead, it’s a rare scientific opportunity — a messenger from another star’s world that has come to us.