The Mysterious Interstellar Object Oumuamua

A full exploration of the first interstellar object ever confirmed, 1I/2017 U1, or Oumuamua, which has turned out to be one of the strangest objects yet seen by astronomers.

Event Horizon Interviews:

Dr. Karen Meech on Oumuamua

Dr. Avi Loeb:

Papers:

"Plausible home stars of the interstellar object 'Oumuamua found in Gaia DR2", Bailer-Jones et al, 2018

"Prospects for Backtracing 1I/`Oumuamua and Future Interstellar Objects", Q. Zhang, 2018.

"
1I/2017 'Oumuamua-like Interstellar Asteroids as Possible Messengers from the Dead Stars", R. Rafikov, 2018

"DISCOVERY AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE FIRST KNOWN INTERSTELLAR OBJECT", Meech et al, 2017

"Non-Gravitational Acceleration in the
Trajectory of 1I/2017 U1 (ʻOumuamua)", Micheli et al, 2018

"Spin Evolution and Cometary Interpretation of the Interstellar Minor Object 1I/2017 'Oumuamua", R. Rafikov, 2018

"Spitzer Observations of Interstellar Object 1I/`Oumuamua", Trilling et al, 2018

"Six Strange Facts About`Oumuamua", A. Loeb, 2018

"Could Solar Radiation Pressure Explain 'Oumuamua's Peculiar Acceleration?", Bialy and Loeb, 2018

[mrnickbig]

I still find it very suspicious that the first definite interstellar object, that we have discovered, would make a VERY close pass to the sun, resulting in a major course change, followed by a small "course correction", AND have a very unusual spindle or cylindrical shape, that has NEVER been seen to occur naturally in the Solar system.

[INMATE]

imagine waking up one day and hearing in the news that Oumuamua came to a sudden complete halt and is making its way to earth

[tothetruthandbeyond]

It's sure is intelligent alright.
It took one look at earth and kept on going!

[Admiralty]

This makes me realize that aliens would never attack us in the traditional sense of landing and blasting us with lasers, they would undoubtedly nudge an asteroid or two in our direction, let the impact do the work then show up decades later for whatever it is they originally wanted.

[michaelblacktree]

A long time ago, in a solar system far away, someone on an alien starship was reprimanded for losing a cargo container. 😉

[TheGunmanChannel]

Maybe Oumuamua came from a long time ago in a galaxy far far away.

[mariodasilva]

This happens to be the best summary of Oumuamua that I have ever watched. Thanks for this detail, much appreciated!

[HindustanNewsStudio]

Looks like silver surfer's lost surf board

[manoj]

That's one hell of a ride man.. What a soothing voice you've got

[ShadowIFCVA]

“What is that?”
“It appears to be
“Oumuamua?”
“Yes! That.”

[czarpeppers]

I'm really starting to think that the difficult task of sending a probe to Oumuamua is becoming increasingly outweighed by how important it could be to visit. Whether it is natural or otherwise.

[ThePessimisticTech-Priest]

Going off the whole lightsail theory, I have my own inkling. Let's just say for arguments sake that yes it is an artificial construct and it indeed is a lightsail. Well why assume it's an active sail? It could essentially be spacejunk. Look at our own space programs. We have lots of little bits and pieces floating around in orbit from our various launches. So whose to say this isn't just the equivalent from another civilization? They launched a probe for whatever reason, used a sail for some cheap acceleration within their own system, the sail detached when it was no longer necessary and just started free floating around getting pulled this way and that by various stars and planets. Everyone seems to be under this peculiar perception that any other advanced civilization is going to do things like space exploration and study cleanly and perfectly. While that may be possible in the longrun, any species capable of spaceflight is going to go through a period of disposable equipment until their technology advances enough to move past disposable systems and components. That is just an unavoidable aspect of the evolution of technology.

[shadowdance]

I’ve got a feeling that we are going to start seeing a lot more of these in our lifetime

[ToutCQJM]

I took a shot every time he said Oumuamua, and now I can see the whole Oort cloud.

[BrianMcKee]

"This object is very likely of natural origin"

*Keeps saying facts that make you feel like it isn't*

[reeee]

Sun: Stop throwing stuff at my planets!
Beta Pictoris: Sorry...

[EvolBob]

I'm beginning to think Oumuamua is a long lost artifact from a world not so different than ours. Checking this out should be our No1 goal...before it is too late.
Great video by the way John.

[christoperwiese]

Thank you for putting all the time in to make these incredible videos. I really appreciate your channel, John. Keep up the great work!

[KLarsen]

Maybe in a few weeks we'll get a radio signal from Oumuamua: 'seriously guys, we just sent a luxury star liner to fetch you and you couldn't even be bothered to get onboard? Well, next scheduled ship will pass in 2 billion years!'

[Pauly]

As soon as you said links to all papers in description I subbed. We need more like you