The lack of comment from NASA on comet 3I/Atlas has set off online theories, with many suggesting the agency might be hiding signs of alien tech.However, a leading scientist states the truth is far more mundane, blaming human “stupidity” rooted in a political stalemate.
Why Has NASA Gone Silent on the Comet?
The simple reason for NASA’s lack of updates is the ongoing US government shutdown, now in its ninth day. NASA has been compelled to reduce its activities as a federal agency, including updating its public websites and issuing formal announcements. This administrative blackout has created an information vacuum, allowing wild theories to flourish unchecked. The agency is functionally muzzled by the political impasse in Washington.
What Sparked the Alien Spaceship Theories?
The comet 3I/Atlas has been a subject of intense interest since its discovery. Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb previously suggested its anomalous behavior could mean it is an “alien mothership.” This theory, combined with NASA’s sudden silence, led many online to conclude the agency had discovered definitive proof of extraterrestrial intelligence and was choosing to withhold it from the public.
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What Does Scientist Avi Loeb Say About the Silence?
Avi Loeb, the very scientist who proposed the alien hypothesis, has directly debunked the idea that NASA’s silence is evidence. When asked if agencies were hiding alien knowledge, he stated, “No. In particular, I believe that the recent delay in the dissemination of data from NASA as a result of the government shutdown does not flag extraterrestrial intelligence but rather terrestrial stupidity.” He separates his scientific speculation from the practical reality of the shutdown.
What Data Do We Have So Far?
While NASA is silent, other space agencies are active. The European Space Agency’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) successfully captured an image of 3I/Atlas as it flew by Mars on October 3. An unconfirmed photo from a NASA rover is also circulating, but the agency cannot officially verify it. Experts believe NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter likely captured the best images, but its findings remain locked away until the government reopens.
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What is the Real Story Here?
The situation highlights a clash between cosmic mystery and earthly politics. Data that can help the public understand the true nature of this enigmatic cosmic object is anxiously awaited. But the secret to unlocking such knowledge is not deciphering alien signals, but rather settling a funding dispute that has put America’s top space agency on hold.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on public statements from Avi Loeb and reports on the US government shutdown.
