According to a study, a newly discovered interstellar visitor could be intercepted

It has been almost a month since the second interstellar object, C / 2019 Q4 (Borisov), was detected. And this newly identified object could potentially be studied, according to a new study.

The research, which can be found here, indicates that C / 2019 Q4 (Borisov) could be intercepted with the help of existing technology and studied to determine a number of aspects, like for example it is a comet or an asteroid. Experts also note that it could be studied to see what material, if any, it has recovered from other solar systems.

"Investigating remote interstellar objects would provide us with unique data about other star systems without consulting them," said Andreas M. Hein, executive director of the Initiative for Interstellar Studies' board of directors. 39, one of the co-authors of the study told Universe Today by email.

MYSTERIOUS, NEW DISCOVERY OF COMET IS PROBABLY VISITOR INTERSTELLAR, SCIENTISTS BELIEVE

"They could provide unique information about the evolution and composition of other star systems and exoplanets." Interstellar objects are cool because it's like: if you can not not go to the mountain, let the mountain come to you, "added Hein in the email. "It will probably take several decades before we can send a spaceship to another star, so interstellar objects could be an intermediate way to learn more about other stars and their planets."

In research, Hein and the other researchers have suggested that by using the Optimum Interplanetary Trajectory Software (OITS) tool to generate trajectories for the object, a SpaceX Falcon Heavy launcher could have sent a craft 2 ton spacecraft at the object s & # 39; he had been launched in July 2018.

Other launch dates would require more powerful systems, including launch data for 2030 using the space launch system currently under development that would reach the object by 2045.

The research could also have implications for the study of other interstellar objects, including Oumuamua.

"If the C / 2019 Q4 (Borisov) turns out to be effectively an interstellar object, its discovery shortly after the discovery of Oumuamua implies that the next interstellar object could be discovered in the near future," states states abstract of the study. "The feasibility of one mission at a time with Oumuamua and the fourth quarter of C / 2019 (Borisov) using existing technologies indicates that missions aimed at developing other interstellar objects are also likely to be used." to be achievable. "

Comet C / 2019 Q4 (Borisov) was discovered August 30 by astronomer Gennady Borisov and, after many discussions, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) said that it probably came from Another system.

Earlier this month, NASA JPL said that the object is about 260 million kilometers from the Sun and that it will reach its nearest point, called perihelion, on December 8, 2019, when 39, it will be less than 190 million kilometers from the Sun.

COMETS AND ASTEROIDS CAN PLAY LIFE ON ALL THE GALAXY, STUDY IS FOUND

Sending a spacecraft to Oumuamua would require quick thinking, as it was discovered in October 2017, but it may still be possible, added Hein. "As far as Oumuamua is concerned, we can launch a spacecraft to this very country beyond 2030," he said in an email. "There is still a lot of time to develop such a spaceship."

It is still unclear what Oumuamua really is, although several theories have emerged, including one from Harvard University researcher Avi Loeb that it could be a light-veil extraterrestrial.

Hein said that he foresaw two types of research, one of which used remote sensing with a telescope to take pictures. The second would be to actually analyze the materials on interstellar objects and, hopefully, to capture some of the dust plume particles, which, according to Hein, "would provide unique information about the composition of this object".

Although it is too early to guess what the research might reveal, he hypothesized that there might be evidence that "organic molecules are the foundation of life, actually travel between stellar systems ", adding that maybe galaxy."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP