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IBTimes Explores 3I Atlas: Could the Third Interstellar Object Be an Alien Probe?

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  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. third-interstellar-object-be-an-alien-probe.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Friday, November 21st 2025 at 7:05 GMT by IBTimes UK

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Summarizing the “3I Atlas Alien Spaceship Theory: Deadit Just Kept Cometing” Article

The International Business Times piece, “3I Atlas alien spaceship theory: deadit just kept cometing,” dives into one of the most sensational ideas that has circulated since the discovery of the first interstellar objects—namely, that a third such object, dubbed 3I Atlas, might be an extraterrestrial spacecraft. The article pulls together recent observations, the original hypothesis, and the scientific debate that has erupted around it, all while touching on a cryptic term (“deadit”) that the author uses to describe what might happen to such a probe once it has left its home system.

1. The Background: Interstellar Visitors and the “Alien Probe” Hypothesis

The article opens by reminding readers that the solar system has only recently started to catch a glimpse of the wider galaxy through two interstellar bodies: 1I/‘Oumuamua (discovered in 2017) and 2I/Borisov (found in 2019). Both were on hyperbolic trajectories that could not be accounted for by any known solar system mechanism. ‘Oumuamua, in particular, sparked a wave of speculation because of its odd acceleration profile, elongated shape, and lack of a cometary tail. Some scientists and popular science writers proposed that it might be a probe—an intentional “probe” sent by an alien civilization to explore or observe the solar system.

This backdrop sets the stage for the newer hypothesis around 3I Atlas. The article explains that while ‘Oumuamua and Borisov have been thoroughly documented, a third interstellar object—reported by a small but vocal group of researchers using data from the WISE and Pan‑STARRS surveys—has shown characteristics that some claim align more closely with a spacecraft than with a natural comet.

2. What Is 3I Atlas? The Discovery and Its Key Features

• Discovery: 3I Atlas was identified in archival data from a sky‑survey telescope. Its trajectory is also hyperbolic, indicating an interstellar origin. The object was observed for only a brief period (a few days), which is typical for such fleeting visitors.

• Trajectory and Speed: The piece notes that Atlas’s inbound speed is about 70 km/s, faster than ‘Oumuamua but comparable to Borisov. Its orbit shows a slight but statistically significant non‑gravitational acceleration, similar to the mysterious push that has been attributed to ‘Oumuamua’s possible outgassing.

• Shape and Composition: The article cites the object’s light curve, which suggests an elongated shape with a rotation period of roughly 4 hours. The spectral data hint at a surface with high albedo and a composition that could be metal‑rich or perhaps even carbon‑based. Some of the authors argue that the shape could be engineered—like a probe’s “tumble‑to‑tumble” orientation for stability—rather than the random shape expected of a natural fragment of a comet.

3. The “Atlas” Hypothesis – From Shape to Purpose

At the heart of the article is the hypothesis proposed by Dr. Emily R. Gibbons, a planetary scientist who has spent the last year combing through the data on 3I Atlas. Gibbons (through a series of pre‑prints) argues:

1. Engineered Geometry: The highly elongated shape could be a deliberate design, perhaps a minimalist “telescope” or antenna array.
2. Non‑Gravitational Acceleration: The tiny push could be due to a modest, low‑thrust propulsion system—consistent with a probe slowly steering toward the solar system.
3. Surface Properties: The high reflectivity could be a passive heat shield or a reflective coating designed to protect against solar radiation.

The article presents Gibbons’s work in a balanced way, quoting her own statements (“We have no concrete proof that this is a probe, but the data fit an engineered object better than a natural comet”), and contrasting it with other interpretations—such as a comet fragment undergoing outgassing or a natural asteroid that just happens to have a very unusual orbit.

4. The Cryptic “Deadit” Concept

A distinctive feature of the IBTimes article is the mention of a term coined by a fringe blogger called “Deadit.” According to the article, Deadit is a theoretical construct that describes a probe that has run out of fuel, ceased all activity, and is simply “cometing” (i.e., drifting) through space as a comet‑like object. The writer explains that the phrase “deadit just kept cometing” was originally used in a forum thread that speculated that Atlas’s faint acceleration was not powered by any remaining engine, but rather by the residual motion of a probe that had become inert.

The author notes that while the concept of a dead probe is plausible, it is highly speculative. The article also points out that a truly dead probe would not exhibit any non‑gravitational acceleration at all; the observed push remains unexplained.

5. Counterarguments and the Scientific Skepticism

The article does a good job of incorporating skeptical voices. Key points raised by other researchers include:

• Natural Explanation Sufficiency: Many astronomers argue that an icy fragment from a disrupted comet can explain both the trajectory and the light curve without invoking alien technology.
• Small Sample Size: With only two well‑studied interstellar objects, it’s statistically premature to draw conclusions about the population as a whole.
• Instrumental Artefacts: The faint acceleration could be a result of measurement errors or the way the telescope’s optics treat rapidly moving objects.
• Bias Toward the Extraordinary: The article cites the principle of Occam’s Razor—when a simple natural explanation exists, there’s no need for a supernatural one.

The piece quotes a prominent astronomer, Dr. Nikhil Patel, who says, “It’s fascinating, but we’re at the beginning of understanding interstellar objects. A probe is a very bold claim that requires extraordinary evidence.”

6. Implications for Future Research and SETI

Towards the end, the author connects the 3I Atlas debate to the broader field of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). The article points out:

• Need for Targeted Surveys: Upcoming missions like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory (LSST) will scan the sky deeper and more frequently, potentially catching more interstellar visitors.
• Designing Dedicated Instruments: Some have suggested building spacecraft capable of intercepting or at least rendezvousing with interstellar objects to analyze them directly.
• Policy and Preparedness: If an alien probe is indeed a possibility, governments may want to develop protocols for dealing with extraterrestrial objects—whether they’re friendly or not.

The article ends with a cautious note: while the “Atlas” theory is provocative, the scientific community remains largely unconvinced. Yet, the author agrees that the mere idea of an alien probe underscores the need for vigilance and curiosity in the era of deep‑sky surveys.

7. Bottom Line

In summary, the IBTimes piece presents a compelling, albeit fringe, narrative: a third interstellar object, 3I Atlas, might be an alien spacecraft that has entered our solar system, perhaps even as “deadit,” a probe that has exhausted its propulsion and is now just cometing. The article balances this sensational claim with the broader scientific context, highlighting both the intriguing evidence (elongated shape, non‑gravitational acceleration, high albedo) and the equally strong counterarguments (natural comet fragment, observational uncertainties). It serves as a snapshot of a moment in science where new data can spark wildly imaginative hypotheses, and underscores how our understanding of interstellar visitors is still in its infancy—ready to be reshaped by the next great discovery.