Oct 7, 2024, 08:39 AM IST
Oumuamua is the first interstellar object detected passing through the Solar System.
Formally known as 1I/2017 U1, was discovered by Robert Weryk using the Pan-STARRS telescope. In October 2017, approximately 40 days after it passed its closest point to the Sun on 9 September.
Oumuamua was traveling at a speed of 1,96,000 mph, that is 54 miles per second or 87.3 kilometers per second to enter in our solar system.
Oumuamua entered our solar system from the rough direction of the constellation Lyra, however its origin point is yet to discover.
Oumuamua is headed back out of solar system and won’t be coming back. It’s rapidly headed in the direction of the constellation Pegasus and will cross the orbit of Neptune in about four years.
The discovery of an interstellar object has been anticipated for decades. Most scientist believe Oumuamua is a natural fragment.
The lack of dust and gas emission from 'Oumuamua as it neared the Sun has raised questions about its comet status, prompting some to suggest it may be an asteroid instead.
Credit: NASA