With the recent discovery of the mysterious space object 3I/ATLAS, the third-known interstellar object directly observed by astronomers, debate over its origins—and even the possibility that it might be of technological origin—has captured the public imagination.

Now, an international team of astronomers suggests that the rare appearances of interstellar objects passing through our solar system could provide scientists with an opportunity to search for signs of extraterrestrial technology.

While the available evidence strongly supports the view that 3I/ATLAS is a comet, albeit one bearing some rather unusual qualities, the team behind the recent study nonetheless suggests that there are good reasons to consider interstellar objects passing through our solar system as potential candidates in the search for alien technosignatures.