>>41386384 (OP)
This article by Avi Loeb reports on the first evidence of a non-gravitational acceleration exhibited by the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS at its closest approach to the Sun (perihelion).
Key Findings:
Non-Gravitational Acceleration: A report from a NASA/JPL engineer details a measured acceleration at perihelion (1.36 times the Earth-Sun distance). This acceleration has two components:
A radial acceleration away from the Sun.
A transverse acceleration within the orbital plane.
Possible Explanations:
Natural Cause (Outgassing): If caused by the "rocket effect" of sublimating ices, the object could lose about a tenth of its mass over a month. This massive mass loss should be detectable as a large gas plume in late 2025, observable by spacecraft like ESA's Juice and telescopes like Hubble and Webb.
Artificial Cause (Technology): Alternatively, the acceleration could be the signature of an internal engine. This might also explain the previously reported anomalous blue color of the object, which is unexpected for a natural, cold comet and could indicate an artificial light source.
Observational Timeline: Key opportunities to test these hypotheses will occur in November 2025 (with the Juice spacecraft) and around December 19, 2025, when the object makes its closest approach to Earth.
Scientific Caution: Loeb concludes with an anecdote from a Harvard seminar, cautioning theorists against dismissing anomalous data simply because it lacks a current theoretical explanation. He implies this same open-mindedness should be applied to the mysteries of 3I/ATLAS.
In summary, the article presents evidence that 3I/ATLAS is behaving in an unconventional way, opening the door to both natural and artificial explanations, with crucial observational data expected in the coming months.
