Researchers puzzle over the second interstellar object

The discovery of comet Oumuamua caused a worldwide sensation two years ago. Researchers had discovered at that time that the elongated rock was the first known interstellar object that drifted through our solar system. Because of his trajectory later even his possible home region could be located.

Now a similar observation of a hobby astronomer excites scientists. The Russian Gennady Borisov used a small telescope to track down an object whose trajectory suggests that it may have come from outside our solar system. This would make it the second interstellar ever, according to Oumuamua.

The Minor Planet Center (MPC) in the US, which gathers data on smaller orbs, has now officially classified the chunk discovered at the end of August as a comet and christened C / 2019 Q4 (Borisov).

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Oumuamua researchers provide explanation for mysterious celestial bodies

According to the experts, the analysis of more than a hundred observations revealed that the comet is not traveling in a closed orbit around the sun. Instead, he probably flies on a so-called hyperbolic path. His straight lines indicate an interstellar origin.

"Every time a new comet is discovered, astronomers first try to determine the trajectory," said Karen Meech, an astronomer at the University of Hawaii. Still, there is little data to make accurate statements about the rediscovery, experts say. According to preliminary estimates, C / 2019 Q4, coming from the direction of the constellation Cassiopeia, will be on view for another year.

In the video: trajectory of the interstellar object

Video

NASA

Currently, the comet moves at high speed near the sun and is distracted by its gravity. Probably on the 8th of December, he will be closest to her. Then the object, which may consist of a mixture of rocks, ice and dust, is 300 million kilometers from Earth.

Komet Oumuamua was discovered in October 2017 by a telescope in Hawaii, so it also got a Hawaiian name. Oumuamua roughly means "reach first". The cigar-shaped celestial body crossed our solar system for only about a week.