Part 2/7:
Initially, the question was whether Three-i Atlas would exhibit maneuvers indicative of artificial or natural forces as it approached the Sun. Dr. Loeb confirmed that the object did, in fact, deviate from its expected path—a sign that additional forces were at play beyond gravity alone.
He explained that the deviation could be attributed to a "velocity boost" equivalent to a jet ejecting an enormous amount of matter—about five billion tons. Such a recoil would result in a change in trajectory, suggesting a level of activity not typical for regular natural objects like comets or asteroids.