Avi Loeb
Frank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Science
BIOGRAPHY
Distinguished tenured Harvard professor with one of the strongest publication records in astrophysics. Critics in his field disagree with his interpretations of 'Oumuamua and IM1, but the methodology of the Galileo Project itself is conventional astronomy.
NOTABLE CONTRIBUTIONS (3)
'Oumuamua artificial-origin hypothesis
Argued that the 2017 interstellar object's non-gravitational acceleration without observed outgassing was best explained by an artificial light-sail.
Galileo Project
Founded in 2021, this Harvard-affiliated initiative is the first systematic, peer-reviewed scientific search for technosignatures and UAP using dedicated ground-based observatories.
IM1 interstellar meteor expedition
Led the 2023 expedition that recovered metallic spherules from the impact site of the IM1 fireball, the first interstellar meteor confirmed by USSF data.
PUBLICATIONS (3)
Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth
2021 • Houghton Mifflin HarcourtCould Solar Radiation Pressure Explain 'Oumuamua's Peculiar Acceleration?
2018 • Astrophysical Journal LettersInterstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars
2023 • Mariner BooksTIMELINE (4)
Becomes chair of Harvard astronomy
Begins his nine-year tenure as department chair.
Publishes 'Oumuamua paper
Argues for an artificial-origin hypothesis for the first known interstellar object.
Founds Galileo Project
Launches the first systematic peer-reviewed search for technosignatures and UAP.
IM1 expedition
Leads ocean expedition to recover metallic spherules from the IM1 impact site.
KEY QUOTES (2)
“If we can't speak about the possibility, we will never find it.”
Extraterrestrial•2021
“The materials we recovered from the IM1 site are unlike any known solar-system or terrestrial composition.”
Galileo Project IM1 expedition report•2023-08-29
