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First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system

nasa.gov

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Re: First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system

#21

Post by kabdib »

pavlov wrote: post #10
Yetanfou wrote: post #4

A 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?

If you're not made of meat, just put yourself into a sleep state for a few hundred thousand years. This could just be the Krang looking for a good place to have a summer holiday ("Hmmm, too much oxygen. Let's try the next exit, dear.")

Re: First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system

#23

Post by antod »

rhcom2 wrote: post #15
Yetanfou wrote: post #4

A 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.

Measurements detect no signs of FTL, Sol is noted as a good place for a future hyperspace bypass.

So, you would regard it as mostly harmless?

Re: First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system

#24

Post by mkl »

mongol wrote: post #20

That it passes the ecliptic from that angle, that close to the sun, feels "deliberate". Like aiming for bull's eye on the solar system, from above. Iss

It's not deliberate, it's gravity. The sun has been pulling this object towards itself, because that's how gravity works.

Re: First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system

#25

Post by ty_a »

Yetanfou wrote: post #4

A 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.

It's broadcasting something that sounds like ... humpback whales?

Re: First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system

#27

Post by Cyphase »

Yetanfou wrote: post #4

A 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.

> okket: A remote civilisation that has no problem waiting hundred thousand years or longer for a probe to reach its destiny.

> pavlov: At 44 km/s, the object is travelling slightly faster than Pioneer 10. Seems too slow for an interstellar probe?

> QAPereo: A probe should show signs of acceleration, not freefall... unless you anted the probe to be stealthy. That is a disturbing thought.

Of course it has FTL, but they want to observe us for an extended period in our natural state, not riled up by an FTL object moving through our system and parking in orbit.

They also wanted to see how long it would take us to detect it. I'm not sure how well we did.

Re: First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system

#28

Post by justinjlynn »

IIAOPSW wrote: post #26

I like to imagine some alien civilizations version of Voyager 1. Perhaps they sent us their own golden record with difficult to decipher pictographs and samples of pictures and music.

If it is, given its trajectory, it's probably not meant for us. I would be nice to keep an eye on it though -- it'd be fun to get a complete scan and hope it's doing the same in return. It's too bad it's likely too late to rendezvous with it and get some samples.

Re: First possible interstellar object detected in our solar system

#30

Post by ant6n »

mkl wrote: post #24
mongol wrote: post #20

That it passes the ecliptic from that angle, that close to the sun, feels "deliberate". Like aiming for bull's eye on the solar system, from above. Iss

It's not deliberate, it's gravity. The sun has been pulling this object towards itself, because that's how gravity works.

In space, the gravity well we more likely create big orbits. Since there's no air slowing objects down, they won't all fall down to the sun.

For example, it's very energy intensive to go visit Mercury.

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