An interstellar object fell into the sea: researchers want to search for it

2014 A meteorite fell into the ocean off the coast of Papua New Guinea. Velocity data indicate that the object is an interstellar orb, that is, it does not come from our solar system.

If this is really the case, then it will be أوOumuamua And the Borisov Only the third thing of this type is known so far. At the same time, it will be the first known interstellar segment on Earth.

Speed ​​is the key

It was first discovered by American researchers Amir Siraj And the Avi Loeb. Using catalog data about the object’s trajectory, they concluded that it was not from our solar system due to its unusually high heliocentric velocity. Specifically, its speed indicates that a celestial body may not be gravitationally bound by the Sun.

Researchers assume that the object has a diameter of about half a meter. The fact that their discovery is only now known is due to the secrecy of the information on the part of the US Department of Defense.

missing information

Because the data to measure the effect CNEOS-2014-01-08 It comes from a US Department of Defense spy satellite, The universe writes today. This was developed to monitor ground military activities.

The exact error values ​​of the measurement are therefore confidential. However, without these details, the object could not be officially classified as an interstellar orb.

Pick it up from the bottom of the sea with a magnet

Siraj and Loeb’s paper has remained unpublished so far. However, their demands were supported in April. Joel MoserPrincipal Investigator at Space Operations Command The US Space Force He reviewed the data and confirmed that the velocity estimate reported by NASA was accurate enough to assume an interstellar path.

For official scientific confirmation, researchers now want to search for CNEOS 2014-01-08 to examine it more closely and determine its origin. Launching an underwater expedition may be a long-term mission, but from a scientific point of view the discovery will be of immense value.

It remains unclear how and when the search for the remains should take place. Parts of a piece are expected magnetic It can be retrieved from the sea floor using a giant magnet attached to a ship. Based on the observation data from the satellite, the search area can be reduced to one 10×10 km A large area in the sea to be identified.