Tech Brew Ride Home (Bonus) Harvard's Top Astronomer Avi Loeb On Oumuamua
Jan 23, 2021
Avi Loeb, Harvard's top astronomer and author of "Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth," delves into the peculiarities of Oumuamua, the first known interstellar object. He argues it may be an alien craft with a solar sail mechanism. Loeb also discusses a groundbreaking initiative to send a small probe to another star within 20 years, promising data from distant worlds. This conversation raises fascinating questions about the nature of extraterrestrial life and the future of space exploration.
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Oumuamua's Discovery and Peculiarities
- In 2017, the Pan-STARRS telescope discovered the first interstellar object, named 'Oumuamua.
- It exhibited unusual properties, like no cometary tail despite an extra push in its trajectory.
'Oumuamua's Potential Artificial Origin
- Avi Loeb suggests 'Oumuamua's unusual shape, trajectory, and lack of outgassing point to an artificial origin.
- Natural explanations, like a hydrogen iceberg or dust bunny, are improbable due to interstellar travel constraints.
'Oumuamua's Unusual Speed and Position
- 'Oumuamua's unusual speed and its position relative to the Local Standard of Rest are highly improbable.
- It moved as if stationary, like a buoy, and could be part of a larger interstellar grid or debris.
