Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk has once again stirred social media after declaring that he is “never committing suicide” during a conversation with podcaster Joe Rogan about the recently discovered interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS and the possibility of alien life.
The comment came during a new episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, where Musk joined Rogan for a wide-ranging discussion on space exploration, extraterrestrial intelligence, and the scientific intrigue surrounding the comet.
“If I ever came across solid evidence of aliens, Joe, I promise I’ll announce it on your show,” Musk said with a grin. “And just to be absolutely clear, I’m never committing suicide, ever.”
His remark appeared to reference popular online conspiracy theories suggesting that individuals who uncover secrets about alien life often meet mysterious fates. Musk laughed while clarifying that he only wanted to make his stance “officially on record.”
Comet 3I/ATLAS, the third confirmed interstellar object to pass through our solar system, has drawn global attention for its unusual trajectory and chemical composition. Some scientists, including Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb and futurist Michio Kaku, have speculated that its odd behaviour might hint at non-natural origins, though most astronomers attribute its anomalies to natural processes.
“It’s quite a name — sounds almost mystical, like ‘Third Eye,’” Musk joked, adding that while some theories claim the comet’s nickel-rich composition suggests artificial design, “nickel-heavy comets and asteroids aren’t uncommon. That doesn’t make them spaceships.”
NASA has classified 3I/ATLAS as an interstellar object due to its hyperbolic orbit, confirming it originated beyond our solar system. Recent spacecraft observations showed a sharp increase in the comet’s brightness near its closest approach to the Sun, producing an unusually bright blue hue believed to result from intense gas emissions.
Harvard’s Loeb described the phenomenon as “puzzling,” noting that most comets appear reddish due to dust scattering sunlight. He called the blue tint “one of several odd characteristics,” alongside its near-ecliptic orbit and visible jet facing the Sun, that have made 3I/ATLAS a scientific curiosity.
When Rogan asked whether Musk believed the comet could be alien in origin, the billionaire replied, “It’s possible, but if it is, it’s made of really heavy material. A nickel spaceship wouldn’t be very practical,” he joked.
Adding fuel to online speculation, amateur radio enthusiasts recently reported strange transmissions from SpaceX’s Starshield satellites on the same day observatories tracked 3I/ATLAS near its closest solar pass. While internet conspiracy theorists were quick to link the two events, experts say the timing is likely coincidental.
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