A celestial object racing through space at extraordinary velocity has prompted Harvard University researchers to consider whether extraterrestrial technology might be approaching Earth.
The entity, designated 31/Atlas by astronomers, spans over 12 miles in diameter and follows a path that will bring it approximately 170 million miles from our planet on December 19.
Former Ministry of Defence (MoD) UFO investigator Nick Pope has weighed in on the extraordinary possibility.
Mr Pope stated: “It is not beyond the realms of science fiction that 31/Atlas could be an alien spaceship of some kind.”
The former government investigator highlighted multiple anomalies that set this object apart from typical space rocks.
“It’s an unusual size, unusual acceleration, unusual course and unusual behaviour those things combined very closely match a sort of mapping or survey mission,” he explained.
The discovery has raised fears
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PAWhilst acknowledging the possibility of a natural explanation, Mr Pope emphasised the scientific opportunity at hand.
“Of course, this could turn out to be just a comet or an asteroid albeit an interstellar one, so interesting and incredibly rare.”
He added: “The good thing is this is a testable hypothesis.”
The Harvard team identified six peculiar features that distinguish 31/Atlas from conventional space objects.
The object is being called by astronomers as 31/Atlas
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GETTYIts dimensions exceed typical asteroid measurements by a considerable margin.
The object’s velocity, calculated at roughly 130,000 miles per hour by the European Space Agency and Hubble telescope, represents the swiftest recorded solar system visitor according to NASA.
Its acceleration pattern deviates from natural celestial mechanics.
Detection occurred unusually late due to its approach from the galactic centre, where stellar density and luminosity create observational challenges.
This trajectory would provide ideal concealment for any covert reconnaissance mission.
The object’s path renders interception virtually impossible, with the sun obscuring critical observation windows when technological manoeuvres might occur.
The object’s trajectory takes it near Venus, Mars and Jupiter, mimicking reconnaissance patterns with a natural occurrence probability of merely 0.005 per cent.
During its nearest approach, Earth’s view will be blocked by the sun, preventing observation.
Pope outlined potential scenarios should the object prove technological in origin.
“It might do one of two things if this is technological. It could change course and come to Earth itself. Or it could, if it’s a mothership, deploy some probes that would come to Earth.”
The former MoD investigator concluded: “The clock is ticking down. We will know soon enough whether we’re dealing with first contact . . . or just a big rock.”
