Harvard's Loeb Suggests Aliens May Have Visited Solar System
Prof. Avi Loeb, a researcher from Harvard University, often labeled as one of the most controversial astrophysicists, shared in an interview with WP Tech that an alien civilization might have already visited our Solar System. He further speculates how a potential encounter with "aliens" could unfold. "If they reach us before we reach them, they will likely be much more advanced, and we would pose no threat to them. By studying their science and technology, we could significantly accelerate our progress," he notes.
Engaged in the search for extraterrestrial life and cosmology, Prof. Avi Loeb's bold theses sometimes spark skepticism among fellow researchers. Nevertheless, he continues his relentless pursuit of evidence supporting the existence of alien civilizations. He even suggests that such a civilization could have already visited our Solar System.
The objects in question include meteor IM1, Oumuamua, and the comet Borisov. Loeb recalls the first object, about half a meter (approximately 1.6 feet) across, that collided with Earth in 2014. Detected by sensors on United States government satellites, this object was observed moving faster than 95% of the stars near the Sun and exhibited a material durability surpassing that of iron meteorites. It exploded only when it reached the lower layers of our atmosphere.
The second object, `Oumuamua, measured around 200 meters (about 660 feet) in length, and was discovered in 2017 by the Pan STARRS survey telescope in Hawaii, according to Loeb, its extreme, likely flat shape, and the high acceleration it displayed without the visible signs of evaporation typically seen in comets, made it stand out. The third object, the comet Borisov, was several hundred meters in size and was discovered by amateur astronomer Gennady Borisov in 2019.
Loeb believes that such scientific endeavors might reveal whether the interstellar objects visiting our system are merely natural space debris or if they include technological remains of extraterrestrial origin.
Meeting with alien civilizations
Searching for even primitive life forms in space is a daunting task. The ongoing NASA missions on Mars, which continue to unveil the planet's mysteries, exemplify the difficulties involved. An even more significant challenge is detecting signs of advanced alien civilizations. But what would finding them entail? "I believe that discovering a more intelligent 'neighbor' is an opportunity for us to learn. Should they find us first, their technological superiority means we would pose no threat. Their science and technology could propel our progress forward," Loeb contends.
Loeb also highlights the potential of artificial intelligence in the search for alien life forms. "Artificial intelligence could help us decode their language, reminiscent of how Alan Turing developed the first computer system to crack the Nazi Enigma code," he explains.
