Astronomers: Solar system object in transit, Oumuamua, might be a “light sail of extra-terrestrial origin”
A light sail is “a small spacecraft, propelled solely by sunlight.” Interstellar object Oumuamua, was discovered 2017 while passing through our solar system. It’s peculiar acceleration is explained, seriously, by a Harvard prof as an extraterrestrial spacecraft: Interestingly enough, there has also been some speculation that based on its shape, ‘Oumuamua might actually be an interstellar spacecraft (Breakthrough Listen even monitored it for signs of radio signals!). A new study by a pair of astronomers from the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) has taken it a step further, suggesting that ‘Oumuamua may actually be a light sail of extra-terrestrial origin. The study – “Could Solar Radiation Pressure Explain “Oumuamua’s Peculiar Acceleration?,” which recently appeared online – was conducted by Read More ›