omg how did I miss this (by Eldadi, Tenenbaum, and Loeb) and its follow-up today? 🧪 arxiv.org/abs/2508.09167 arxiv.org/abs/2509.06253
![arviv > physics > arXiv:2508.09167 Physics > Popular Physics [Submitted on 6 Aug 2025] The Loeb Scale: Astronomical Classification of Interstellar Objects Omer Eldadi, Gershon Tenenbaum, Abraham Loeb The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is expected to increase interstellar object (ISO) detections from a few over the past decade to potentially one per few months, demanding a systematic classification scheme. We present the Loeb Scale, formally the Interstellar Object Significance Scale (IOSS), a 0-10 classification system extending the proven Torino Scale framework, to address ISOs' unique anomalies, including potential technosignatures. The scale provides quantitative thresholds for natural phenomena (Levels 0-3) and graduated protocols for increasingly anomalous characteristics (Levels 4-7), with Levels 8-10 reserved for confirmed artificial origin. Each level specifies observable criteria and response protocols. We demonstrate the scale's application using 1l/'Oumuamua (Level 4), 21/Borisov (Level 0), and 3I/ATLAS (Level 4) as test cases. The Loeb Scale provides the astronomical community with a standardized framework for consistent, evidence-based and dynamic evaluation while maintaining scientific rigor across the full spectrum of possibilities as we enter an era of routine ISO encounters. Comments: 19 pages, 1 table Subjects: Popular Physics (physics.pop-ph); Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP); Astrophysics of Galaxies (astro-ph.GA); Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:yj436z2s2v37rvaw33lc4ryq/bafkreibojaxwpxjiha5fga4tlvi3dwrh2gq7f75howhu6f4qtberasjr2u@jpeg)
![Search... Help | Advanc arxiv> astro-ph > arxiv:2509.06253 Astrophysics > Earth and Planetary Astrophysics /Submitted on 8 Sep 2025] Quantitative Mapping of the Loeb Scale Oem Trivedi, Abraham Loeb he recent discovery of a third interstellar object (ISO) 31/ATLAS, following Il/*Oumuamua and 2l/Borisov, has raised questions about the nature and origin of these enigmatic objects. With the Vera C. Rubin Observatory expected to discover dozens of new ISOs over the next decade, it is timely to use a classification scheme for their nature in the context of the recently proposed Loeb scale. Here, we provide a formalism for ranking ISOs quantitatively on the Loeb Scale in analogy to Sagan's formalism for mapping the Kardashev scale based on the energy output of technological civilizations. Comments: 11 pages with no figures, comments are welcome Subjects: Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP); Astrophysics of Galaxies (astro-ph.GA); Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:yj436z2s2v37rvaw33lc4ryq/bafkreicjdy43ujaysjdqtwxnkfc3z3mvpc4r43rruap3u3wa7effx7jsoq@jpeg)
Replies
Does Avi Loeb owe someone a lot of money or something?
sep 9, 2025, 3:12 am • 0 0 • view
Avi Loeb has gotten a couple of million dollars in private donations and an ocean vacation by pretending that things in the sky are aliens. Quite the scam.
sep 9, 2025, 9:40 am • 1 0 • view
I always thought the Loeb scale was like the Richter Scale, but for the magnitude of a scientific PR disaster.
sep 9, 2025, 9:46 am • 2 0 • view
Same coauthors as the psychology paper about the psychological problems of his critics, I think.
sep 9, 2025, 2:59 am • 2 0 • view
oh dear, I missed that one, keeping up with this subfield is a full-time job
sep 9, 2025, 3:05 am • 2 0 • view
"Close Encounters of the 9th Loeb Kind"
sep 9, 2025, 2:54 am • 2 0 • view
the avi loeb guide to rock weirdness™
sep 9, 2025, 3:10 am • 0 0 • view
it's perfectly OK to miss junk ... :)
sep 9, 2025, 12:19 pm • 1 0 • view
Submitted to what journal, again?
sep 9, 2025, 2:53 am • 1 0 • view