Avi Loeb is the Frank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Science at Harvard University. He chaired the Department of Astronomy from 2011 to 2020 and founded the Black Hole Initiative in 2016.
In 2018 Loeb proposed that the interstellar object ʻOumuamua might be alien technology. He leads the Galileo Project to collect data on possible extraterrestrial artifacts.
- Born February 26, 1962, in Beit Hanan, Israel; served in IDF Talpiot program.
- Earned PhD in physics from Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1986 at age 24.
- Tenured at Harvard three years after joining as assistant professor in 1993.
- In October 2018 published paper with Shmuel Bialy suggesting ʻOumuamua could be artificial.
- Founded Galileo Project in 2021; appointed chair of UAP Science Advisory Council in 2026.
- United StatesIsraeli-American citizen; long-term Harvard resident
- IsraelBorn 1962; IDF Talpiot service
- Harvard UniversityFrank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Science
- Harvard-Smithsonian Center for AstrophysicsDirector, Institute for Theory and Computation since 2007
- Galileo ProjectHead since 2021
- UAP Science Advisory CouncilChair since 2026
- Black Hole InitiativeFounding Director 2016–2021
- American Academy of Arts and SciencesElected fellow
Background
Abraham (Avi) Loeb was born on February 26, 1962, in Beit Hanan, Israel. He grew up on a farm and later entered the elite Talpiot program of the Israel Defense Forces at age 19. The program allowed him to complete advanced studies in physics while fulfilling military service. He earned a PhD in plasma physics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1986 at age 24.
From 1983 to 1988 Loeb led the first international project supported by the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative. He then became a long-term member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton from 1988 to 1993. There he shifted focus to theoretical astrophysics under advisor John Bahcall.
In 1993 Loeb joined Harvard University as an assistant professor in the Department of Astronomy. He received tenure just three years later in 1996. He advanced rapidly through academic ranks and became the Frank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Science around 2012.
Loeb served as Director of the Institute for Theory and Computation at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics starting in 2007. He chaired the Harvard Department of Astronomy from 2011 to 2020, the longest tenure in that role. In 2016 he founded and directed the Black Hole Initiative until 2021.
In 2017 astronomers discovered the first confirmed interstellar object, ʻOumuamua. Loeb and postdoctoral researcher Shmuel Bialy submitted a paper in October 2018 proposing that its unusual elongation, lack of cometary activity and non-gravitational acceleration could indicate an artificial light sail.
Loeb expanded the hypothesis in his 2021 New York Times bestselling book Extraterrestrial. He argued that natural explanations for ʻOumuamua required unseen object types while artificial origin remained viable. The claim drew both media attention and criticism from other astronomers.
In July 2021 Loeb launched the Galileo Project at Harvard to build dedicated observatories for detecting possible extraterrestrial technological artifacts. The project focuses on UAP and interstellar objects using scientific instrumentation rather than relying on government reports.
Loeb has authored over one thousand peer-reviewed papers and nine books on topics including the first stars, black holes and cosmology. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Physical Society. He previously served on the White House PCAST and chaired the National Academies Board on Physics and Astronomy.
Loeb maintains dual Israeli-American ties. He holds visiting positions at the Weizmann Institute and Tel Aviv University. His public statements on ʻOumuamua and UAP have continued alongside his academic career without formal sanctions from Harvard.
Where They Are Now
As of October 2026 Avi Loeb remains Frank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Science at Harvard. He continues as Director of the Institute for Theory and Computation and Head of the Galileo Project.
He serves as Chair of the UAP Science Advisory Council advising the White House, Pentagon and intelligence community on data collection for unidentified aerial phenomena. Loeb also writes and speaks on interstellar objects and the search for alien technology.
Last updated 25 October 2026