An extraterrestrial object 'Oumuamua may be smaller than we thought

Scientists have long been waiting for us to find an object in our solar system that started in orbit around another star. However, no one expected it to be so. weird. The extraterrestrial comet 'Oumuamua appeared in the sky last year as it fell in front of the sun. Astronomers have determined since the beginning of our time of observation: "Oumuamua is a small cigar-shaped object, but we did not know how small it was. During a follow-up observation attempt with the Spitzer Space Telescope, "Oumuamua was not found". So, it is either a foreign vessel that has engaged its chain engines, or 'Oumuamua is smaller than we thought.

Sky observers discovered Oumuamua in the fall of 2017 using the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope from the University of Hawaii. At that time, he had already turned around the sun before leaving the solar system. The analysis of the speed and trajectory of Oumuamua confirmed that it could not come from this solar system. Scientists have indicated several possible home systems for this purpose, but we may never know where it started.

At the end of 2017, NASA directed the Spitzer telescope towards' Oumuamua – or rather, where it should have been. It was about two months after his closest approach to Earth, while it should have been still visible by the telescope. The team hoped that Spitzer's infrared instruments would further clarify the nature of the likely comet. Spitzer, however, failed to spot 'Oumuamua.

Previously, astronomers believed that Umuamua could reach a length of 2,600 feet (800 meters) along its largest dimension. However, Spitzer should have been able to spot something in this range. Thus, the non-detection tells us a lot about the actual size of Oumuamua. Using three different models, NASA now predicts that the object could measure up to 1,440 feet (440 meters) long. It could also be much smaller – just 320 feet (100 meters). The wide range comes from our uncertainty about the composition of Oumuamua.

"The path of Oumuamua through the solar system in 2017.

This new statistic for 'Oumuamua-jives with the presumption that it is a natural object. It's certainly interesting to think that it could be an alien spacecraft, but it was always an outside chance. NASA thinks it's basically a small, low-activity comet. Disturbances in its movement are the result of gas leaks from the surface, and the newly established size supports this assumption.

If 'Oumuamua has more secrets, they will probably remain so. It will disappear from the solar system in a few years, and it is too far for a telescope to see.

Now read: NASA: A gas giant ejected "Oumuamua in interstellar space, our first interstellar visitor could have a violent past, and

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