(NewsNation) — Avi Loeb, the Harvard astrophysicist known for theorizing about the origins of 3I/ATLAS, is intrigued by new data showing the receding interstellar object has a concentration of deuterium, an isotope essential for nuclear fusion.
“Deuterium and tritium are the best fuel for nuclear fusion, and what we see around 3I/ATLAS is an abundance of deuterium at a level that is a thousand times larger than the average cosmic value,” Loeb told “NewsNation Prime” on Saturday.
The scientist said it’s just one of several anomalies about 3I/ATLAS that merit further study.
Avi Loeb on how he’ll determine if comet 3I/ATLAS is ‘alien tech’
Loeb set imaginations afire last year when he began raising questions about the object’s irregularities and asking whether it could be a form of alien tech doing surveillance on our planetary system. NASA concluded it was a comet, albeit one with unique properties.
“The question is, when will the next one come along?” Loeb said.
He said he hopes the world does a better job of getting closer for an examination the next time.