Since the summer, the mysterious Manhattan-sized matter has been hurtling through our solar system, baffling experts as it goes. Nasa described it as a comet, but a Harvard professor isn’t so sure
All you need to know about the latest “spaceship” 3I/ATLAS developments:
- Earth is facing a “blind date” with a “serial killer” interstellar visitor which could “seed life” on our planet, a space boffin has warned.
- Theoretical physicist Avi Loeb says 3I/ATLAS has shown molecules of methanol and hydrogen cyanide, gasses which act as “precursors for the complex organic chemistry relevant to the origins of life.”
- And he says the mystery Manhattan-sized object – which is hurtling towards us at speeds of 130,000mph – could pose a threat to human life as hydrogen cyanide was used as a poisonous chemical weapon by France, the US and Italy during World War 1.
- Loeb, a professor of science at top US university Harvard, said: “On a blind date with an interstellar visitor, it is prudent to observe the dating partner and decide whether it could have seeded life on Earth by carrying out interstellar panspermia or whether it represents a serial killer spreading poison.”
- But he conceded: “The anomalously large ratio of methanol to hydrogen-cyanide production by 3I/ATLAS suggests a friendly nature for this interstellar visitor.”
- Most of his peers think the 12-mile wide space rock is a harmless comet on a one-way journey through our solar system. But Loeb has repeatedly warned that world leaders should prepare for all eventualities in case of a life-changing alien close encounter.
- READ THE FULL STORY: ‘Spaceship’ 3I/ATLAS could be carrying alien life to ‘seed on Earth’ during ‘blind date’
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