Interstellar asteroid was half the time

The asteroid reflects ten times more light.

After analyzing the data from the Spitzer telescope, astronomers discovered that the first interstellar object discovered – an Omului asteroid – was nearly half as expected. The study is published in The Astronomical Journal.

The asteroid 1I / Omwamwi was discovered in October 2017. At first it was considered a comet, but astronomers then agreed the opinion that it was a problem. an asteroid whose cigar shape was unusual. According to earlier data, according to which scientists have used the Pan-STARRS 1, Hubble and other observatories, the Omwamwi length should not exceed 800 meters. To obtain new information on this subject, NASA astronomers in November 2017 were directed to the Spitzer asteroid infrared telescope.

But after two months, the telescope was no longer able to repair the tracks of Omwamwi. On this basis, astronomers have concluded that the size of the asteroid is well below that of those who can "see" Spitzer. To estimate the size of Omwamwi, scientists decided to use three independent models to determine the maximum dimensions of objects able to fix the telescope. They received the results of 100, 140 and 440 meters – that is to say that Spitzer would have seen any object of a maximum dimension between 100 and 440 meters. Thus, it is within these limits and corresponds to the length of the cigar-shaped Omwamwi.

In addition, astronomers discovered that the asteroid reflected ten times more light than flying in the solar system of the comet. This conclusion, the researchers made because of the Omwamwi temperature: the smaller, the more light reflection and heat.