(NewsNation) — Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, who still insists 3I/ATLAS could be an alien vessel instead of a comet, is now pointing to the interstellar object’s expected rendezvous with the solar system’s largest planet early next year.
He said 3I/ATLAS is expected to come closest to Jupiter on March 16, 2026, as it leaves our planetary system. At that time the object is estimated to be 33 million miles from Jupiter, compared with the wider berth of 170 million miles the Earth will have with 3I/ATLAS on Dec. 19.
“It comes exactly at the right distance from Jupiter for Jupiter’s gravity to dominate. So, if it wants to release some probes near Jupiter, that’s where it needs to be,” Loeb told “NewsNation Prime” on Saturday.
“Jupiter is easy to recognize, the biggest planet in the solar system, and perhaps that’s what attracted their visit,” he added. “We tend to think that it’s all about us.”
NASA on Wednesday said the latest government images of 3I/ATLAS indicate the object is a comet, as suspected, albeit one with unusual features. But Loeb says there are still many anomalies left unexplained, ranging from the object’s size to its chemical signatures to the “jets” that appear to be emanating from the surface. In his view, he said, the latest NASA material doesn’t solve these riddles.
“The verdict should not be decided by administrators at NASA. It should be decided by data,” Loeb said.
The Harvard professor told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” that scientists should be able to draw firm conclusions next month, when 3I/ATLAS is nearest Earth.