Harvard scientist believes possible comet is an alien probe
- 5 years ago
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS — A strange space object has been a topic of debate among scientists and astronomers, with one Israeli Harvard professor claiming it is likely an alien probe, reports Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
Oumuamua is a reddish interstellar object that was first seen using the Pan-STARRS telescope at Haleakala Observatory, Hawaii on October 2017, as it passed by Earth at 156,428 kilometers per hour.
Its odd shape and unusual level of acceleration have made it an object of speculation among the astronomic community.
Oumuamua, whose name comes from a Hawaiian word meaning "scout" or "messenger sent from the distant past to reach out to us", is the first interstellar object observed in the Solar System. It is 400 meters long and roughly 40 meters wide.
Scientists are debating whether or not the object is an asteroid or a comet with some even suggesting it has extraterrestrial origins.
According to a theoretical paper written by Israeli Harvard Professor Abraham Loeb published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, states that the object is likely a space probe that passed by our solar system.
The hypothesis suggests it is powered by lightsail energy, also known as solar sail technology, and that its reddish color might be a layer of interstellar dust.
The paper suggests a second hypothesis claiming the object's random trajectory might mean it is an alien probe intentionally passing by Earth's vicinity.
In December 2017, astronomers attempted to listen for radio signals coming from the object but could not capture any. However, Professor Loeb is not losing hope.
During his interview with Haaretz, Professor Loeb stated, "As soon as we leave the solar system, I believe we will see a great deal of traffic out there. Possibly we'll get a message that says, 'Welcome to the interstellar club.' Or we'll discover multiple dead civilizations — that is, we'll find their remains."
SOURCES:
The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Wired, The Guardian, Futurism
http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/aaeda8/met
https://www.wired.com/story/is-oumuamua-an-alien-spaceship-sure-except-no/
https://www.theguardian.com/science/shortcuts/2018/nov/07/oumuamua-alien-spaceship-scientists-harvard-professors
https://futurism.com/alien-probe-harvard-astronomer-oumuamua
Oumuamua is a reddish interstellar object that was first seen using the Pan-STARRS telescope at Haleakala Observatory, Hawaii on October 2017, as it passed by Earth at 156,428 kilometers per hour.
Its odd shape and unusual level of acceleration have made it an object of speculation among the astronomic community.
Oumuamua, whose name comes from a Hawaiian word meaning "scout" or "messenger sent from the distant past to reach out to us", is the first interstellar object observed in the Solar System. It is 400 meters long and roughly 40 meters wide.
Scientists are debating whether or not the object is an asteroid or a comet with some even suggesting it has extraterrestrial origins.
According to a theoretical paper written by Israeli Harvard Professor Abraham Loeb published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, states that the object is likely a space probe that passed by our solar system.
The hypothesis suggests it is powered by lightsail energy, also known as solar sail technology, and that its reddish color might be a layer of interstellar dust.
The paper suggests a second hypothesis claiming the object's random trajectory might mean it is an alien probe intentionally passing by Earth's vicinity.
In December 2017, astronomers attempted to listen for radio signals coming from the object but could not capture any. However, Professor Loeb is not losing hope.
During his interview with Haaretz, Professor Loeb stated, "As soon as we leave the solar system, I believe we will see a great deal of traffic out there. Possibly we'll get a message that says, 'Welcome to the interstellar club.' Or we'll discover multiple dead civilizations — that is, we'll find their remains."
SOURCES:
The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Wired, The Guardian, Futurism
http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/aaeda8/met
https://www.wired.com/story/is-oumuamua-an-alien-spaceship-sure-except-no/
https://www.theguardian.com/science/shortcuts/2018/nov/07/oumuamua-alien-spaceship-scientists-harvard-professors
https://futurism.com/alien-probe-harvard-astronomer-oumuamua