In October, astronomers observed an interstellar asteroid for the first time. We talked to one of the first to study it, and here’s everything they’ve learned in the months since.
What’s Happening in Space? –
Thumbnail image courtesy: ESO/M. Kornmesser
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A brief visit from a red and extremely elongated interstellar asteroid
“Here we report observations and subsequent analysis of 1I/2017 U1 (‘Oumuamua) that demonstrate the extrasolar trajectory of ‘Oumuamua. Our observations reveal the object to be asteroidal, with no hint of cometary activity despite an approach within 0.25 au of the Sun.”
The First Interstellar Object to Be Seen May Have Just Visited Our Solar System
“Astronomers may have spotted the first comet or asteroid to visit from beyond the solar system. They’re now scurrying to aim telescopes at the object, provisionally called A/2017 U1, to learn more about its mysterious origins.”
Massive Asteroid ‘Florence’ Flies Past Earth at Record-Breaking Nearness
“A mountain-size space rock cruised past Earth this morning (Sept. 1) in a record-breaking encounter that has long had scientists drooling. At 8:06 a.m. EDT (1206 GMT) today, the roughly 2.7-mile-wide (4.4 kilometers) asteroid 3122 Florence came within a mere 4.4 million miles (7 million km) of Earth — just 18 times the distance from our planet to the moon.”
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This episode of Seeker was written and hosted by Trace Dominguez
