Many people look toward the holiday season with hope, but this year may bring a very unusual “gift.” A Harvard scientist believes a mysterious object moving through space could reveal something far bigger than anyone expected — and he says Christmas may bring the truth.

The object, called 3I/ATLAS, entered our solar system from deep space and recently passed by Mars. NASA has released new images and insists the visitor is simply a comet. They explain that it behaves like every comet we know, shedding gas and dust as sunlight warms its surface.

But Harvard professor Avi Loeb still isn’t convinced. He says the object is acting oddly and might not be a natural body at all. Loeb believes some of its behavior could match what a damaged spacecraft might show, especially one coated in collected ice and dust. He warns that familiar signs can sometimes hide deeper mysteries.

Loeb’s turning point arrives in the coming weeks. As the object moves closer to Earth — about 170 million miles on December 19 — powerful telescopes will study its jets and material. Loeb says this will reveal whether the bursts come from melting ice or something far more advanced, like controlled propulsion.

NASA remains firm in its belief, but Loeb says we should “wait and watch.” He believes that by Christmas, we will know whether 3I/ATLAS is an ordinary comet or something that challenges everything we think we understand.

Until then, the universe holds its breath — and so do many curious eyes here on Earth.