'Oumuamua: Experts discuss 'unusual' interstellar object

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

In 2017, an interstellar object which came to be named ‘Oumuamua was detected in the solar system. The object baffled scientists when it was first discovered due to its odd shape and the fact it is an interstellar visitor – meaning it is not part of our solar system.

Theories abounded as to its origin, ranging from a comet or asteroid to an alien messenger craft.

While many experts have dismissed the alien theory, Avi Loeb, the chair of Harvard University’s astronomy department, is still pushing the extraterrestrial claim.

He now says if humanity is able to detect these interstellar visitors in advance, a probe could be sent to study them.

According to Prof Loeb, humanity is likely to discover evidence of alien technology before we discover aliens themselves.

He told Haaretz: “The chances are that we will be encountering alien technology – in other words, equipment – long before we encounter creatures from other worlds.

“Equipment can survive over long distances and long periods of time, and equipment can be sent off without any intention of its being used for many years to come.”

Prof Loeb added since the Universe is so old, humanity is a relative newcomer, with modern humans only existing for around 200,000 years.

This number is virtually nothing compared to the 13.8 billion year age of the Universe.

As such, a civilisation could have come about much earlier than we did and sent a probe out into the cosmos – much like the Voyager missions of the 1970s.

Prof Loeb continued: “It’s reasonable that older alien civilizations sent out spacecraft, just like we’ve sent out Voyager and New Horizons beyond our solar system.

“We need to be searching for evidence of the existence of alien civilizations just like we conduct archaeological excavations, looking for anything they may have left behind.

“We can find evidence for their existence if we discover other bodies like Oumuamua, and if we find them early enough.”

The scientists said with “enough warning”, experts could “send up a spaceship that could meet it, photograph it, and maybe even land on it.”

Prof Loeb: “If we could document such an object, we could easily distinguish between an artificial object and a natural object – and if it’s artificial, we could bring this technology to Earth.

“As a result of discovering the technology of other cultures, more advanced than ours, we’ll enjoy a scientific boost, and this will have a very high economic value.

“The moment the field of astroarchaeology opens up, it will be like the gold rush.”

Source: Read Full Article