Astronomers have understood for a long time that our Solar System is a cradle of endless possibilities, and it’s now just beginning to unveil its wonders. NASA scientists are now eager to study mysterious interstellar objects that pass through our cosmic neighborhood, as a new article from Phys.org reveals.
Less than a decade ago, astronomers using the Pan-STARRS1 telescope in Hawaii spotted the ‘Oumuamua space object passing among the planets of our Solar System. That became qualified as the first object coming into our cosmic vicinity from another star system. While it baffled scientists, that space object might just represent the beginning of interstellar visitors. While we all have to admit that it’s a bit spooky to know that other cosmic objects are messing around in our own backyard, there’s also an important advantage in this equation.
Studying ISOs can offer us learn more about other star systems
It’s obvious that the more astronomers and astrophysicists study the geology, composition, and activity of ISOs (interstellar objects) up close, the more they can learn about other solar systems. And thank God, there are so many ISOs out there!
NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are already actively working for that kind of purpose. While NASA has the Bridge mission, the ESA will launch the Comet Interceptor mission in 2029 to study ISOs more than ever.
On the other hand, Project Lyra implies catching ‘Oumuamua by the throat, meaning to catch up with the space object to study it up close.
Who knows what astronomers and the world in general will witness in 100 or 200 years from now? It seems like the Universe is just beginning to unfold itself before our eyes, so there’s no telling what wonders astronomers will uncover in the near future. All we can do at this point is feel privileged that we can witness the beginning of a wonderful scientific exploration of the stars!