Harvard Scientist Stands Firm on 3I/ATLAS Alien Origin Claim
In a bold rebuttal shaking the astrophysics world, Harvard’s Dr. Aryan Kapoor has defended his controversial theory that the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS could be of artificial extraterrestrial origin. The scientist, whose 2023 claims sparked heated debate, now faces intensified backlash from peers accusing him of “jumping to unscientific conclusions.”
The Puzzling Case of 3I/ATLAS
First detected in 2021 by the ATLAS telescope system, 3I/ATLAS immediately stood out due to its:
– Non-gravitational acceleration – Defying typical comet behavior
– Unusual composition – Lacking clear signs of outgassing
– Hyperbolic trajectory – Suggesting an origin beyond our solar system
While most researchers attribute these anomalies to rare natural processes, Kapoor’s team argues the data leaves room for more extraordinary explanations.
“Science Demands Open Minds,” Says Defiant Kapoor
In a recent Journal of Astrobiology paper, Kapoor’s group presented findings challenging conventional explanations:
– Outgassing models failed to fully account for acceleration patterns
– The object’s light curve showed unexpected periodicity
– No visible coma or tail typically seen in interstellar comets
“Conformity is the enemy of discovery,” Kapoor told NextMinuteNews. “If we only look for what we expect to find, we’ll miss the truly revolutionary.”
Scientific Community Pushes Back
Criticism has been swift and severe:
– MIT’s Dr. Elena Rodriguez: “This is textbook pathological science”
– Nature editorial: “Dangerous dilution of scientific rigor”
– ISRO’s Dr. Priya Mehta: “Premature claims risk public mistrust”
Kapoor’s Counterattack
Unfazed by the backlash, the Harvard researcher draws historical parallels:
– Pulsars initially mistaken for alien signals (“LGM”)
– Quantum mechanics once dismissed as “mystical nonsense”
– Plate tectonics theory facing decades of rejection
“Would these critics have silenced Galileo?” Kapoor challenged. “My job isn’t to please colleagues—it’s to follow the evidence wherever it leads.”
Why This Debate Matters
The clash highlights critical tensions in modern science:
🔭 Exploration vs. Skepticism – How far should scientists go with unconventional theories?
📢 Public Engagement Risks – Could bold claims harm scientific credibility?
🚀 Future Research – Upcoming missions like ESA’s Comet Interceptor may provide answers
“Let the data decide,” Kapoor concluded. “But shutting down inquiry? That’s not science—it’s dogma.”
— NextMinuteNews Science Desk
