Second interstellar object heading towards the sun
Sep 18, 2019, 2:00 PM
(Max Pixel Photo)
(Max Pixel Photo)
Back in 2017, astronomers were amazed at the discovery of an object, some 400 feet in diameter that might have come from the star system, Vega!
The object was discovered by astronomer Robert Weryk, on Oct. 17, 2017, with the Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii.
The object in discussion was named Oumuamua, Hawaiian, for “scout.” This object was discovered a few days after its closest approach to the sun and was headed back out of the solar system.
First thought to be a comet, Ohmuamua was later thought to be an asteroid with a deep red color and no signs of a coma or tail.
A coma or a tail would be indicative of a cometary nature.
An interstellar visitor will have a very high and eccentric orbit and Oumuamua does have a hyperbolic orbit.
Many in the science world though that this object might be some type of interstellar craft, but no signals were found to be coming from Oumuamua.
Oumuamua has now moved away from telescopic observation and will journey back into deep space.
And the story gets more interesting!
On Aug. 30, Russian astronomer Gennady Borisov captured what might be the second interstellar object.
With his 25-inch, high-resolution telescope, Gennady captured a faint object headed towards the sun.
The object has been designated C/2019 Q4 (Borisov) and is thought to be a comet.
What makes this object suspect as being a true interstellar object is the high speed of the object in space, all part of objects that have hyperbolic orbits.
Here is an image of the newly discovered “comet”; C/2019 Q4 (Borisov):
(Gemini Observatory Image)
The “comet” will be picking up speed in the months to come and will pass by the orbit of Mars. At present time, the object is traveling at some 91,000 mph.
Where did this object come from?
If it did come from another star system, this is a ringside seat to see what lies beyond our solar system and help find out what it is made up of.
Some believe that comets carried the first DNA and helped to seed Earth with life and that this may an ongoing process in the universe, a process known as panspermia.
What do you think?
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