'Hostile': Why scientists believe alien spacecraft is headed for Earth

A mysterious object, dubbed 31/Atlas, is hurtling toward Earth at break‑neck speed, sparking fears that it could be an alien spacecraft. Estimated to be over 12 miles (19 kilometres) wide, the object is on a trajectory that will bring it within about 170 million miles (274 million kilometres) of Earth on December 19. A team of Harvard scientists, led by astrophysicist Avi Loeb, has published a paper speculating that the object could be hostile extraterrestrial technology. Nick Pope, former UFO investigator for the UK’s Ministry of Defence, notes that its unusual size, acceleration, course and behaviour closely match a mapping or survey mission, though it could also be an interstellar comet or asteroid. The scientists outline six key theories: the object is too large to be an asteroid; its acceleration is atypical for a natural body; it was spotted late because it entered from the galaxy’s centre; its course makes interception difficult; it passes close to Venus, Mars and Jupiter, suggesting a survey mission; and it will be obscured by the Sun at closest approach, preventing observation. If it is technological, it could either change course toward Earth or deploy probes that might reach our planet.