oumuamua | EarthSky

Is ‘Oumuamua a frozen piece of an exoPluto?

A new theory about 'Oumuamua suggests the weird object that passed through our solar system in 2017 was a remnant of a Pluto-like world from another solar system. As one scientist said, "‘Oumuamua may be the first piece of an exoplanet brought to us."

A computer-simulated image of a cigar-shaped body made of varying materials.

Is ‘Oumuamua a fragment of a shattered super-Earth?

Computer simulations confirm that 'Oumuamua - an object from another star system that sped near our sun in 2017 - likely formed via a close encounter with its star. 'Oumuamua may have originated in a debris disk, they said, or even a shattered super-Earth.

Long rocky asteroid-like object against background of stars and Milky Way.

Was ‘Oumuamua a cosmic dust bunny?

'Oumuamua - the weird object that entered our solar system in 2017 and quickly fled back toward interstellar space - might not be an asteroid or comet from a distant solar system, as many believed. It might instead be a "cosmic dust bunny."

Radio search finds no artificial emissions from ‘Oumuamua

“We were looking for a signal that would prove that this object incorporates some technology."

Could ‘Oumuamua be an alien lightsail?

The object we call 'Oumuamua entered our solar system a year ago and quickly left again. It's a very puzzling object. Could it be an alien lightsail? A new paper from Harvard discusses that possibility.

Which one is ‘Oumuamua’s home star?

The 1st object known to be from another solar system passed through our solar system a year ago. Where did it come from? Astronomers have identified 4 plausible candidates.

5 things we know – and 5 we don’t – about ‘Oumuamua

Mysterious 'Oumuamua is the 1st confirmed interstellar object to pass through our solar system.

Oumuamua’s path in our solar system

You’ve probably read about this unprecedented visitor from interstellar space. Astronomer Guy Ottewell thought you’d like to see its trajectory through our solar system.

Closeup of man in glasses with hand by face and 'Are we alone' written on palm with marker.

Did alien technology crash in Pacific in 2014? Harvard astronomer says ‘maybe’

Did alien technology crash into the Pacific Ocean in 2014? Despite disagreement from colleagues, Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb says it's possible.

Spacecraft with radio dish floating through space beyond sun with distant Milky Way.

Harvard astronomer: Earthly spacecraft as alien artifacts

Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb shares an analogy of how spacecraft sent from Earth might appear as alien artifacts on a different planet.

Interstellar meteor: bright meteor in sky above mountains.

Did an interstellar meteor hit Earth in 2014?

The U.S. Space Command published a surprising memo last week stating that an interstellar meteor crashed near Papua New Guinea in 2014.

Dark matter, spacecraft looking down on solar system.

Can we measure dark matter in our solar system?

Science is all about measuring things. And astronomers say dark matter pervades our solar system. Can we find a way to measure it? 2 scientists say yes.

Rocky reddish shape surrounded by silver square plate-like objects in space.

A plan to chase down the 1st-known interstellar visitor

In 2017, 'Oumuamua became the 1st-known interstellar visitor. Since then, we've seen one other. Can astronomers now chase it down?

Top 10 stories of 2021: Sailboat on a placid lake reflecting distant storm-lit clouds and Milky Way.

Oort Cloud news: How many comets from elsewhere?

Interstellar objects may dominated the Oort Cloud, according to two scientists from Harvard. Their calculations are based on the interstellar comet Borisov.

Man with white hair and glasses writes equation on whiteboard.

Happy birthday, Frank Drake

May 28, 2021 is the 91st birthday of Frank Drake. He formulated the famous Drake Equation in 1961, as a tool for contemplating alien civilizations.

Listen: Have aliens already visited us?

A podcast featuring Harvard theoretical physicist Avi Loeb, on the subject of whether 'Oumuamua - the strange object that swept through our solar system in 2017 - is an artifact of an alien intelligence.

Ball of light with tail surrounded by colorful streaks.

Interstellar visitor Borisov could be 1st truly pristine comet yet seen

Comet 2I/Borisov is the 2nd known object to pass near our sun from outside our solar system. Its 2019 pass near our sun might have been its first-ever interaction with a star. If so, it's among the most pristine, or unspoiled, objects yet known.

A human standing under the Milky Way in starry sky, looking up.

The 1st sign of intelligent life beyond Earth?

Physicist Avi Loeb of Harvard believes we should take seriously the idea that 'Oumuamua - the 1st known object to pass through our solar system from interstellar space - might have been created by an alien civilization. His new book is called "Extraterrestrial."

A dish type radio telescope, at night, with a jagged line of signal from the stars reaching it.

New Exotica Catalog will help guide search for ET

"What if extraterrestrial intelligences are not like us, but are found in the frigid reaches of the outer solar system, the extreme gravity of neutron stars, the brilliant cores of active galaxies, or the hearts of the richest galaxy clusters?"

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Is ‘Oumuamua a frozen piece of an exoPluto?

Is ‘Oumuamua a fragment of a shattered super-Earth?

Was ‘Oumuamua a cosmic dust bunny?

Radio search finds no artificial emissions from ‘Oumuamua

Could ‘Oumuamua be an alien lightsail?

Which one is ‘Oumuamua’s home star?

5 things we know – and 5 we don’t – about ‘Oumuamua

Oumuamua’s path in our solar system

Did alien technology crash in Pacific in 2014? Harvard astronomer says ‘maybe’

Harvard astronomer: Earthly spacecraft as alien artifacts

Did an interstellar meteor hit Earth in 2014?

Can we measure dark matter in our solar system?

A plan to chase down the 1st-known interstellar visitor

Top 10 stories of 2021 from EarthSky

Oort Cloud news: How many comets from elsewhere?

Happy birthday, Frank Drake

Listen: Have aliens already visited us?

Interstellar visitor Borisov could be 1st truly pristine comet yet seen

The 1st sign of intelligent life beyond Earth?

New Exotica Catalog will help guide search for ET