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First Extrasolar Object Observed Racing Through Our Solar System (space.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the first-of-its-kind dept.

Enigma2175 writes: For the first time, scientists have observed an object they believe came from outside our solar system. The object is in a hyperbolic orbit that will send it back into interstellar space. From Space.com: "The object, known as A/2017 U1, was detected last week by researchers using the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope in Hawaii. 'It's long been theorized that such objects exist -- asteroids or comets moving around between the stars and occasionally passing through our solar system -- but this is the first such detection,' Chodas added. 'So far, everything indicates this is likely an interstellar object, but more data would help to confirm it.' It's unclear what exactly this thing is. When A/2017 U1 was first spotted, it was thought to be a comet (and was therefore given the moniker C/2017 U1). But further observations have revealed no evidence of a coma -- the fuzzy cloud of gas and dust surrounding a comet's core -- so the object's name was amended to its current asteroidal designation."

4 of 133 comments (clear)

  1. Rendezvous with Rama by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Arthur C. Clarke was right again!

  2. Que Randezvous with Rama by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The object definitely deserves a more prosaic name. Like Rama... :-)

  3. Already on the way out. by MiniMike · · Score: 5, Informative

    It's already heading out of the solar system, so no need to worry about any malicious intent. TFA says that it passed perihelion around Sep. 9. It was closest to the Earth on Oct 14, at about 15 million miles (24 million km, sorry don't have it in LOC). It's heading toward the constellation Pegasus at over 97000 mph. Maybe we'll send them a warning in a few years?

    It's a bit unsettling that we didn't notice this until it had passed the earth at a relatively close distance, and passed through the plane of the ecliptic twice. I know the chances of an impact are very low, but the late detection indicates that we may be missing an unknown number of events like this, and may not be correct about estimates of the chances of being hit by one.

  4. BUGS! by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Bugs send another meteor our way !
    But this time we are ready !
    Planetary defenses are better than ever !
    Would you like to know more ?

    --
    #DeleteFacebook