A new interstellar object named 3I/ATLAS has sparked global curiosity and speculation, with some scientists questioning whether it could be an alien spacecraft. Others maintain that it is likely an asteroid or a comet passing through our solar system.
Why Scientists Are Calling 3I/ATLAS “Unusual”
Some researchers, including Harvard astrophysicist Professor Avi Loeb, believe the object shows unusual features that make it different from typical comets or asteroids. They point to its speed, shape, and trajectory as reasons for further investigation. However, most astronomers say there is no evidence to suggest it is artificial.
According to NASA, 3I/ATLAS is only the third known interstellar object ever discovered after ‘Oumuamua (2017) and Comet Borisov (2019). Its path is hyperbolic, meaning it will not orbit the Sun but simply pass through the solar system and continue outward.
When Will 3I/ATLAS Pass Near the Sun and Earth?
NASA says 3I/ATLAS will reach its closest approach to the Sun on October 30, 2025, at a distance of around 130 million miles (210 million km). It will stay just inside Mars’ orbit.
The object is expected to reach its closest point to Earth in November 2025, but NASA confirms it poses no threat. It will remain at a safe distance and is not on a collision path.
Why 3I/ATLAS Is Linked to Baba Vanga Predictions
The object has resurfaced discussions about prophecies by Baba Vanga, a Bulgarian mystic known for her alleged predictions of major events such as the Chernobyl disaster and 9/11. Some online discussions claim she predicted alien contact in the mid-2020s, which has led to speculation connecting her claims with the arrival of 3I/ATLAS.
However, none of these claims have been verified, and no documented evidence proves she mentioned this object specifically.
Who Was Baba Vanga?
Baba Vanga (1911–1996) was a blind mystic from Bulgaria who became famous for her supposed prophetic abilities. Many people believe she made accurate predictions, but experts argue that most claims are exaggerated or misinterpreted over time.
(There is no scientific evidence linking 3I/ATLAS to aliens or to any predictions made by Baba Vanga. NASA and astronomers currently classify the object as a natural interstellar comet.)
