Interstellar Asteroid A/2017 U1 Update for 11/17/2017

TL;DR

The interstellar object known as 1I/2017 U1, now designated as 'Oumuamua, continues to intrigue scientists with its elongated shape and reddish color. There are potential options to intercept and study it up close, but time is of the essence.

Transcript

The story of our first probable interstellar visitor from another star system has been rapidly evolving since I made my last video on the subject, links to both video updates in the end screen and description below for those looking for the backstory. The first development is that it now officially has a new designation and a name and much to my di... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ 'Oumuamua is the first identified interstellar asteroid with the official name 'Oumuamua, meaning "a visitor from afar who is first" in Hawaiian.
• 🪐 Uncertainties about undiscovered planets in the outer solar system contribute to the challenge of determining its interstellar origin.
• 🏷️ The physical characteristics of 'Oumuamua suggest an elongated shape and a reddish color, similar to objects in our own Kuiper belt.
• 😚 The possibility of intercepting and studying 'Oumuamua up close has been explored, utilizing various methods such as rockets, microprobes, and the use of Jupiter's magnetic field.
• 💨 Time is of the essence, as 'Oumuamua is moving fast out of our solar system, making it necessary to act quickly to reach and study it.
• 🧭 Directly sampling 'Oumuamua for study is challenging but may be feasible for future interstellar objects passing through our solar system.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the official name and designation of the interstellar object?

The interstellar object is officially named 'Oumuamua and designated as 1I/2017 U1.

Q: Why was a Hawaiian name chosen for the object?

The object was named 'Oumuamua because the telescope that discovered it is located on the Haleakala volcano in Maui, and the word means "a visitor from afar who is first" in Hawaiian.

Q: Is 'Oumuamua definitely of interstellar origin?

While evidence points towards it being interstellar, uncertainties about undiscovered planets in the outer solar system make it difficult to confirm.

Q: What do we know about the physical characteristics of 'Oumuamua?

'Oumuamua appears to be elongated, possibly two objects held together by gravity. It is also similar in appearance to objects in our own Kuiper belt, having a reddish color.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The interstellar object 1I/2017 U1 has been officially named 'Oumuamua, which means "a visitor from afar who is first" in Hawaiian.

• Evidence suggests that 'Oumuamua is of interstellar origin, but uncertainties about other planets in the outer solar system remain.

• 'Oumuamua appears to be extremely elongated, possibly two objects held together by gravity, and similar in appearance to our own Kuiper belt objects.