The enigmatic interstellar object 3I/ATLAS will approach Earth to 270 million kilometers in a few hours. The date of the greatest approach between the planet and the strange celestial body is December 19. Several scientists are sounding the alarm and cautioning humankind about a peril due to a series of oddities.
Mere hours separate Earthlings from the moment of maximum proximity for the mysterious space object 3I/ATLAS. The object was first spotted in the summer in Chile thanks to a network of automated telescopes. Initial observations immediately indicated its unprecedented standing.
According to science popularizer and astronomy instructor Victor Knyazev, the most alarming indication is the non-gravitational accelerations.
“In outer space, everything happens under the influence of gravity. A sudden change in an object’s speed or path without the visible effect of gravitational forces is an anomaly,” the specialist clarified.
The object exhibits non-gravitational accelerations, a changing-direction “anti-tail,” and an unusual emerald glow. Major observatories remain silent; the International Academy of Astronautics suddenly updated its protocol for contact with extraterrestrial intelligence.
Specialists do not rule out a possible artificial nature for the object and ponder the motives for its movement. Some researchers openly warn about a threat to humanity from supposedly aggressive aliens. Other members of the scientific community believe a menace exists, but it is currently hard to define. There are also differing views — about the complete safety of 3I/ATLAS for Earth.
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