Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb joins me to discuss 3I/ATLAS, the interstellar object that prompted a rare CIA “neither confirm nor deny” response. Why did this object attract intelligence attention, and what makes it scientifically unusual?
We explore the unusual features of 3I/ATLAS, including its anti-tail, orbital geometry, rotation, and chemical makeup, and why Avi believes these anomalies deserve careful study rather than dismissal.
We also discuss the CIA’s refusal to confirm or deny records relating to the object, the concept of black swan events, criticism of short-duration SETI scans, and the broader stigma surrounding UAP and interstellar research.
This is a deep, science-first conversation about curiosity, risk, and what interstellar visitors could tell us about our place in the universe.
avi-loeb.medium.com
🔔 Subscribe for weekly interviews and breakdowns
📘 Buy my book Atlas of UFOs: geni.us/AtlasOfUFOs
Timestamps
00:00 Cold open: CIA and black swan risk
00:40 Intro music
00:48 Interview begins
01:48 What is 3I/ATLAS and why it matters
03:40 Why its speed and orbit are unusual
05:10 The anti-tail anomaly explained
07:40 Nickel, iron, and possible technological signatures
10:30 Rotation axis and low-probability alignments
13:00 January 22 alignment and brightness surge
16:30 Jupiter flyby and why it’s important
19:40 Why most interstellar objects go undetected
23:30 Natural objects vs technological intent
27:40 Fermi paradox and “where is everybody?”
31:00 Why mainstream astronomy avoids risk
35:10 SETI’s 5-hour radio search criticism
39:10 NASA’s response and public communication
42:30 CIA FOIA response and black swan events
47:20 The Loeb Scale explained
50:10 What would change Loeb’s assessment
52:40 Future interstellar object detection
56:00 Listener questions: Galileo Project update
59:10 Historic astronomical transients
01:02:00 Gatekeeping, stigma, and online toxicity
01:07:10 Is the stigma easing?
01:11:30 Final thoughts on curiosity and progress
🔥 Support the show & get bonus content:
🛸 YouTube Memberships: youtube.com/channel/UCHw9Lru3EcpRQyM7AI5TlmA/join
🛸 Patreon: patreon.com/c/ThatUFOPodcast
🛸 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/that-ufo-podcast/id1511121397
🛸 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7wnXUAQ3vwdsX1BoyaEvjZ
🛸 Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/ThatUFOPodcast
📲 Connect with the show:
Twitter: @UFOUAPAM
Facebook, Instagram & YouTube: That UFO Podcast
YouTube: YouTube.com/c/ThatUFOPodcast
Email: UFOUAPAM@gmail.com
All links: https://linktr.ee/ufouapam
Official Website: ThatUFOPodcast.com
👍 Don’t forget to subscribe, like & leave a review — it really helps!
Thanks for listening,
Andy
🎵 Music Credits:
"Girl with the Saucer Eyes" – Adam Goldsack → bitly.ws/kvIK
"Goblin Problems" – Sean Cahill → bitly.ws/kvIL
Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb joins me to discuss 3I/ATLAS, the interstellar object that prompted a rare CIA “neither confirm nor deny” response. Why did this object attract intelligence attention, and what makes it scientifically unusual?
We explore the unusual features of 3I/ATLAS, including its anti-tail, orbital geometry, rotation, and chemical makeup, and why Avi believes these anomalies deserve careful study rather than dismissal.
We also discuss the CIA’s refusal to confirm or deny records relating to the object, the concept of black swan events, criticism of short-duration SETI scans, and the broader stigma surrounding UAP and interstellar research.
This is a deep, science-first conversation about curiosity, risk, and what interstellar visitors could tell us about our place in the universe.
avi-loeb.medium.com
🔔 Subscribe for weekly interviews and breakdowns
📘 Buy my book Atlas of UFOs: geni.us/AtlasOfUFOs
Timestamps
00:00 Cold open: CIA and black swan risk
00:40 Intro music
00:48 Interview begins
01:48 What is 3I/ATLAS and why it matters
03:40 Why its speed and orbit are unusual
05:10 The anti-tail anomaly explained
07:40 Nickel, iron, and possible technological signatures
10:30 Rotation axis and low-probability alignments
13:00 January 22 alignment and brightness surge
16:30 Jupiter flyby and why it’s important
19:40 Why most interstellar objects go undetected
23:30 Natural objects vs technological intent
27:40 Fermi paradox and “where is everybody?”
31:00 Why mainstream astronomy avoids risk
35:10 SETI’s 5-hour radio search criticism
39:10 NASA’s response and public communication
42:30 CIA FOIA response and black swan events
47:20 The Loeb Scale explained
50:10 What would change Loeb’s assessment
52:40 Future interstellar object detection
56:00 Listener questions: Galileo Project update
59:10 Historic astronomical transients
01:02:00 Gatekeeping, stigma, and online toxicity
01:07:10 Is the stigma easing?
01:11:30 Final thoughts on curiosity and progress
🔥 Support the show & get bonus content:
🛸 YouTube Memberships: youtube.com/channel/UCHw9Lru3EcpRQyM7AI5TlmA/join
🛸 Patreon: patreon.com/c/ThatUFOPodcast
🛸 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/that-ufo-podcast/id1511121397
🛸 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7wnXUAQ3vwdsX1BoyaEvjZ
🛸 Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/ThatUFOPodcast
📲 Connect with the show:
Twitter: @UFOUAPAM
Facebook, Instagram & YouTube: That UFO Podcast
YouTube: YouTube.com/c/ThatUFOPodcast
Email: UFOUAPAM@gmail.com
All links: https://linktr.ee/ufouapam
Official Website: ThatUFOPodcast.com
👍 Don’t forget to subscribe, like & leave a review — it really helps!
Thanks for listening,
Andy
🎵 Music Credits:
"Girl with the Saucer Eyes" – Adam Goldsack → bitly.ws/kvIK
"Goblin Problems" – Sean Cahill → bitly.ws/kvIL
