- A jet configuration that actively adjusts or stabilizes orientation in a way inconsistent with passive outgassing
- Energy output or directional control that exceeds what sublimating ices or dust can plausibly produce
- Repeating, purpose-like behavior that correlates with geometry, rotation, or external alignment rather than solar heating alone
- Or a feature thatrules outall known cometary, icy-body, or fragment-ejection models with high confidence
The newly observed 120-degree symmetry is notable because symmetry of that precision is rare in large, irregular natural bodies. However, Loeb’s position is that rarity alone is not disqualification. Nature can occasionally produce orderly patterns, and science demands eliminating every reasonable natural explanation before invoking technological ones.
This is why the upcoming January 22, 2026 alignment, when Earth, the Sun, and 3I/ATLAS briefly line up, is so important. During that window, the rotating mini-jets may trace a circular pattern on the sky. If that motion behaves in a way that cannot be explained by rotation and sunlight-driven activity alone, it could materially shift the classification debate.
Until then, Loeb’s stance remains cautious but open:
3I/ATLAS is one of the most anomalous interstellar objects ever observed, but scientific patience—not escalation—remains the standard.
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USA Herald continues to follow 3I/ATLAS with the same discipline we apply to high-stakes legal and investigative reporting: facts first, analysis second, and conclusions only when the record supports them. Readers who want early access to updates, deeper breakdowns, and future reporting on anomalies that make scientists stop and double-check their assumptions are encouraged to join the USA Herald newsletter. It’s the easiest way to stay informed—no telescope required.
