Astronomer Avi Loeb believes that the interstellar object dubbed ‘Oumuamua could actually be a probe sent by alien beings. Given the evidence that has so far been gathered, he says, it is a possible conclusion to draw.
Interview Conducted by Johann Grolle
January 07, 2019 03:13 PM
Avi Loeb, 56, is chair of the astronomy department at Harvard University and has published more than 700 papers on astrophysical phenomena. His areas of interest include black holes and the birth of the first stars in the universe. More recently, Loeb has focused on the possible existence of extraterrestrial intelligent life, a topic on which he is currently writing a textbook.
DER SPIEGEL: Professor Loeb, do you have a favorite alien?
Loeb: To be honest, I don’t like science fiction personally. I have a problem when the action in a movie violates the laws of physics. In those cases, I cannot enjoy the experience aesthetically.
DER SPIEGEL: If you don’t like aliens, why are you exploring the question of intelligent extraterrestrial life?
Loeb: Because it’s one of the really big questions. I have always been interested, even as a young kid, in thinking about the big picture. And the most fundamental of all questions is: Are we alone?
DER SPIEGEL: Why do you consider the question to be so fundamental?
Loeb: If at some point we encounter other intelligent beings, it would radically change our perspective of our importance in the big scheme of things. In addition, extraterrestrial intelligences could enormously increase our knowledge. Learning from them would improve our understanding of the world. It could be a shortcut — just as if somebody from the Middle Ages were to get a glimpse of our world in the 21st century.
DER SPIEGEL: Are the prospects of encountering aliens better today than they were in earlier times?
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A handout photo released by the European Space Agency on June 27, 2018 shows an artist’s impression of the first interstellar object discovered in the Solar System, `Oumuamua.
Observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and others show that the object is moving faster than predicted while leaving the Solar System. Researchers assume that venting material from its surface due to solar heating is responsible for this behaviour. This outgassing can be seen in this artists impression as a subtle cloud being ejected from the side of the object facing the Sun. As outgassing is a behaviour typical for comets, the team thinks that `Oumuamuas previous classification as an interstellar asteroid has to be corrected. / AFP PHOTO / ESA/Hubble / M. KORNMESSER / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / ESA / Hubble / NASA / ESO / M. Kornmesser” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS