The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, flying through the solar system, is exhibiting a number of anomalies.
They forced renowned astrophysicist Avi Loeb to put forward a bold hypothesis, reports a correspondent for the online publication Belnovosti.
The scientist admits that the object may not just be a comet, but a spacecraft preparing for a gravitational maneuver, RIA Novosti reports.
According to Loeb's calculations, the object will reach perihelion on October 29, 2025.
This could be the optimal moment for the so-called Oberth maneuver.
“In this case, the maneuver could be applied to mini-probes that it launches at perihelion to planets in the Solar System,” the scientist explained.
However, Loeb emphasizes that the probability of this is extremely low, and 3I/ATLAS is most likely a natural comet.
The object, discovered in July, has already managed to surprise scientists.
It changes color, emits its own light, and may be the oldest comet ever observed.
Its age is estimated at 7.5 billion years, which is 3 billion years older than the Sun.
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