CAMBRIDGE, MA – The recent delay in the release of images captured by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Mars rover has raised eyebrows among scientists and the public. Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb confirmed the images of the comet 3I/Atlas, taken last week, have yet to be made public due to a government shutdown.
The European Space Agency has released some data, but it is considered inferior to what NASA holds. Loeb expressed skepticism about the reasons given for the delay, suggesting that the situation may not involve extraterrestrial intelligence but rather bureaucratic inefficiency.
Concerns grow as telescopes on Earth report detecting other objects near 3I/Atlas as it approaches the sun. Loeb’s team at the Galileo Project is monitoring for any unusual activity, which could indicate the presence of mini-probes.
In November, 3I/Atlas will pass near the spacecraft JUICE en route to Jupiter, with its closest approach to the sun expected on October 29. This event could provide a gravitational assist, altering its trajectory.
On December 19, the comet will come closest to Earth, at a distance of 1.8 times the Earth-sun separation. This will be a prime opportunity for observatories worldwide to gather valuable data.
Loeb emphasized the importance of monitoring the comet’s path, noting that any significant deviation from its expected trajectory could signal a technological signature.
As the comet approaches, scientists remain vigilant, with Loeb promising further updates as new information becomes available.