Articles by Marty Vergel Baes

Science

Avi Loeb Claims NASA 'Comet' Has 'No Tail' and Could Be 'Something Else'

A bold hypothesis is now gripping the astronomy world: Harvard theoretical physicist Avi Loeb claims that the interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS shows 'no tail'—and suggests it could be 'something else' entirely.Strange Visitor From BeyondThe object 3I/ATLAS, first detected in early July 2025, is only the third confirmed interstellar object entering our Solar System. According to the article by Tyla, images show the object travelling at tremendous speed and on a trajectory that has drawn surprise and attention.Loeb draws attention in particular to the absence of a visible comet-tail, arguing that the behaviour is inconsistent with expectations for a typical comet.An Unusual AppearanceAs Tyla reports, follow-up observations indicate that 'the coma appears compact—with no tail of ejected material clearly visible' in recent images.Loeb argues this is a key anomaly: typical comets venting gases and dust near the Sun produce a clear tail pointing away from the Sun, yet 3I/ATLAS appears not to. In a blog post, he writes, 'No obvious cometary tail is seen' in post-perihelion images.What Loeb is SuggestingLoeb suggests that the lack of a tail, combined with other oddities in its trajectory and behaviour, indicates that 3I/ATLAS may not be a natural comet. He states that the absence of the tail 'could point to alien technology.'He also highlights what he terms 'large-scale jets' directed toward and away from the Sun, as well as mass-loss behaviour that is difficult to reconcile with a typical cometary nucleus.Expert ReservationsHowever, most scientists remain sceptical of the more dramatic claim. For example, a piece by LiveScience notes that despite Loeb's speculations, 'most researchers are confident it's a natural object'.Likewise, the publication ScienceAlert writes that although 3I/ATLAS is 'wildly unusual...every piece of evidence collected...is consistent with a natural, comet-like origin.'These voices warn that viewing geometry, weak out-gassing, or observational limitations might account for the missing tail, rather than invoking extraordinary explanations.What the Observations ShowAccording to the Tyla article, 3I/ATLAS is speeding through the solar system faster than typical long-period comets and exhibits behaviour that has prompted intense monitoring of its approach.Furthermore, Loeb argues that if the object were shedding sufficient mass to drive the observed non-gravitational acceleration, it should have produced a visible tail—but he says, 'no clear cometary tail is seen.'What Upcoming Observations Could RevealAstronomers are now preparing for a crucial observing window that may settle the debate.As 3I/ATLAS continues its rapid approach, both ground-based telescopes and space-based observatories are expected to capture higher-resolution images that could finally confirm whether the object possesses a faint, hard-to-detect tail or truly lacks one altogether.Researchers also anticipate collecting fresh spectroscopic data to determine what gases, if any, are being released.If the object emits the chemical signatures typical of comets, the case for a natural origin will strengthen significantly.But if the readings show little or no volatile activity, it would add weight to Loeb's argument that 3I/ATLAS behaves unlike any known comet.This upcoming phase of observation is therefore critical. It offers the best chance yet to answer the question at the centre of the controversy: is 3I/ATLAS merely an unusually quiet interstellar comet—or a genuinely anomalous object that defies current understanding?What's at StakeIf Loeb's hypothesis were correct, it would challenge fundamental assumptions about comets and possibly point to non-natural origins for the object.That said, the scientific majority currently favours a natural explanation, viewing the oddities as extreme but within the realm of cometary physics.Observers will be watching closely as 3I/ATLAS continues its journey and passes relatively near Earth. The coming weeks and months may yield images and data capable of discriminating between natural and exotic scenarios.

Business

Is Tesla Hiding a Bizarre Theory Behind Apple CarPlay? Fans Link Surprise Move to EV Tax Credit

Some Tesla fans now believe the company's sudden embrace of Apple CarPlay may be less about convenience and more about mitigating the impact of losing the US federal EV tax credit.Tesla's Unexpected Turn Toward CarPlayTesla has famously resisted Apple CarPlay for years, insisting that its in-house interface is superior. Yet recent reporting reveals a major shift.Bloomberg first reported that Tesla is developing support for Apple CarPlay, a claim corroborated in a detailed breakdown by Reuters.Reuters explains that the integration would not replace Tesla's own system but may operate within a controlled window on the display.For a company long committed to end-to-end software control, this shift has generated intense discussion.The Theory Linking CarPlay to the EV Tax Credit LossAmong Tesla owners, a striking theory has taken hold: the company may be introducing Apple CarPlay as a strategic response to losing the US$7,500 federal EV tax credit.A report from Teslarati summarises the speculation, stating that fans floated the idea that Tesla could be using CarPlay as a counter to losing the EV tax credit and as a way to appeal to new buyers who prefer vehicles equipped with Apple's ecosystem.The outlet also mentions that Tesla recently introduced several incentives to maintain stable demand as the credit was winding down, making the timing of the CarPlay development even more intriguing.Why the Theory Has Gained TractionThe theory has momentum because the federal EV tax credit has been a massive driver of EV adoption. Its removal has a real impact on affordability.An explainer by NerdWallet breaks down how the credit worked and why losing it affects consumers directly.Separately, Fox Business reported that the end of the tax credit could result in a noticeable slowdown in EV sales across the US, reinforcing concerns about buyer hesitation.With this backdrop, Tesla's possible adoption of CarPlay lands at an interesting moment. The feature is widely considered essential by many mainstream drivers, offering Tesla a visible, high-demand feature at a time when government incentives no longer make its vehicles as financially appealing.Why Tesla May Still Be HesitantDespite the speculation, Tesla hasn't confirmed any strategic link between CarPlay and the tax credit loss.Many long-time owners insist that the company has little incentive to relinquish interface control, especially since Tesla's UI remains one of the most advanced in the EV market.Introducing CarPlay could risk diluting the brand's carefully curated software identity. Even if CarPlay runs in a limited window—as suggested by Reuters—the philosophical shift is substantial.What This Means for BuyersIf Tesla fully integrates CarPlay, it could reshape how new buyers view the brand.Drivers who previously dismissed Tesla due to the absence of CarPlay may reconsider, especially now that the loss of the tax credit raises overall costs.For Tesla, this turning point suggests a broader strategic recalibration.As government incentives fade, the company appears more willing to align with mainstream consumer preferences rather than relying solely on distinctive software design.What Tesla's CarPlay Move Means for the MarketWhether Tesla's shift toward CarPlay is a deliberate response to the loss of the EV tax credit or simply a long-delayed nod to consumer demand, the timing is impossible to ignore.As Tesla navigates a post-incentive landscape, its embrace of CarPlay signals a new era—one where even long-resisted features become part of a wider effort to keep buyers engaged.