First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system
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Re: First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system
#2The object approached our solar system from almost directly "above" the ecliptic, the approximate plane in space where the planets and most asteroids orbit the Sun, so it did not have any close encounters with the eight major planets during its plunge toward the Sun. On Sept. 2, the small body crossed under the ecliptic plane just inside of Mercury's orbit and then made its closest approach to the Sun on Sept. 9. Pulled by the Sun's gravity, the object made a hairpin turn under our solar system, passing under Earth's orbit on Oct. 14 at a distance of about 15 million miles (24 million kilometers) -- about 60 times the distance to the Moon. It has now shot back up above the plane of the planets and, travelling at 27 miles per second (44 kilometers per second) with respect to the Sun, the object is speeding toward the constellation Pegasus.
Sooooo cool! I wonder if the system of origin will eventually be determined?
Re: First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system
#3Has anyone done the calculation yet for what would have happened if it collided with Earth?
Re: First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system
#4A probe sent out by some remote civilisation, it is on its way through our part of the Milky Way galaxy. It used Sol as a source of gravity to slingshot itself on its way in the direction of Pegasus. It also did some measurements while it was at it, even though this system is not its final destination.
Yes, totally made up but in theory it would be possible.
Re: First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system
#5Might not be interstellar
https://mobile.twitter.com/AscendingNode/status/923223634386...
Re: First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system
#6The object approached our solar system from almost directly "above" the ecliptic, the approximate plane in space where the planets and most asteroids orbit the Sun, so it did not have any close encounters with the eight major planets during its plunge toward the Sun. On Sept. 2, the small body crossed under the ecliptic plane just inside of Mercury's orbit and then made its closest approach to the Sun on Sept. 9. Pul…
I doubt that's possible, although it would be very interesting.
Re: First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system
#7Has anyone done the calculation yet for what would have happened if it collided with Earth?
http://impact.ese.ic.ac.uk/ImpactEffects/
Have fun destroying Earth!
Re: First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system
#8Might not be interstellar https://mobile.twitter.com/AscendingNode/status/923223634386...
Read the whole thread; seems like no one else can reproduce this.
Re: First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system
#9Might not be interstellar https://mobile.twitter.com/AscendingNode/status/923223634386...
Please also read
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mpml/conversations/messa...
> AscendingNode's tweet is in error: It's using the basic find_orb fit (which tries to fit the object's observations to a parabolic orbit) without taking into account the fact that it COULD be interstellar.
> You'll notice quite clearly, that in the follow-up tweets they make, that they give residuals in the orbit on the order of 6-9 whole arcseconds. It's quite bothersome that everyone I've been talking to has been re-quoting the tweet all day.
Re: First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system
#10A probe sent out by some remote civilisation, it is on its way through our part of the Milky Way galaxy. It used Sol as a source of gravity to slingshot itself on its way in the direction of Pegasus. It also did some measurements while it was at it, even though this system is not its final destination. Yes, totally made up but in theory it would be possible.
At 44 km/s, the object is travelling slightly faster than Pioneer 10. Seems too slow for an interstellar probe?