Sep 11, 2024, 04:20 PM IST
In October 2017, the Pan-STARRS1 telescope in Hawaii detected 'Oumuamua, an object with an unusual trajectory moving rapidly through our solar system, identified as the first known interstellar visitor.
The name 'Oumuamua means "scout" or "messenger" in Hawaiian, reflecting its status as a cosmic traveler from beyond the heliosphere.
Observations showed 'Oumuamua to be an elongated, cigar-shaped object with a 10:1 aspect ratio, making it 10 times longer than it is wide, unlike any other asteroid or comet in our solar system.
Estimates of its size vary, ranging from 100 to 1,000 meters in length, with precise measurements hindered by its high speed.
As 'Oumuamua accelerated away from the Sun at 315,000 kilometers per hour, its unusual behavior fueled debate about its nature.
Its exact composition remains a mystery; scientists suggest it might be composed of rock or metal, possibly containing organic materials, as it lacks a comet-like tail and appears reddish with high density.
After January 2018, telescopes could no longer track 'Oumuamua, but its brief passage through our solar system continues to intrigue researchers.
Astronomers are still analyzing data to understand its origin, composition, and acceleration, with the possibility that more interstellar objects like 'Oumuamua may visit in the future.
This information is not DNA's opinion but obtained from media reports