Oumuamua is an interstellar object that passed through our solar system in 2017, and it has gained significant attention from the scientific community due to its unusual shape and trajectory. A recent study (2023) suggests that Oumuamua was a comet. In this article, you can read more about the interstellar object Oumuamua for the UPSC exam science and technology section.
What is Oumuamua?
Image source: www.scientificamerican.com
The University of Hawaii’s Pan-STARRS1 telescope, supported by NASA’s Near-Earth Object Observations Program, discovered the first recorded interstellar object to enter our solar system, ‘Oumuamua, on October 19, 2017.
- It was reclassified as an asteroid, but subsequent observations demonstrated slight acceleration, indicating that it exhibits more comet-like behaviour.
- It is believed to have originated from outside our solar system, and its discovery has provided astronomers with valuable insights into the nature and origins of interstellar objects.
- The object has a cigar-like shape, and is around 230 m long with a thickness of about 40 m.
- Some researchers believed that about half a billion years ago, Oumuamua’s parent planet was hit by an object, which sent it hurling toward our solar system.
- Oumuamua was formally designated as 1I/2017 U1.
Pan-STARRS1 Telescope
The Pan-STARRS1 (Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System) is a wide-field imaging telescope located on the summit of Haleakalā in Maui, Hawaii.
- It is one of the largest digital cameras ever built.
- The Pan-STARRS1 telescope conducts sky surveys to detect and track asteroids, comets, and other near-Earth objects, as well as to map the positions and movements of stars and galaxies.
- The telescope operates in multiple wavelength bands, including visible and near-infrared, and is capable of covering the entire sky visible from Hawaii every few days.
- The Pan-STARRS1 project is a collaboration between several institutions, including the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy, NASA, and the National Science Foundation.
- Its data is made publicly available and has been used in numerous scientific studies, including the discovery of distant galaxies and supernovae.
- Interstellar objects are objects that originated outside of our solar system and are passing through it.
- The first interstellar object discovered in our solar system was Oumuamua, which was detected in 2017.
- Scientists study interstellar objects to learn more about the formation and evolution of our own solar system and to gain insights into the potential for extraterrestrial life.
- Interstellar objects provide valuable information about the composition and conditions of other star systems, as well as the processes that occur within them.
- Some interstellar objects may be comets, asteroids, planets, interstellar dust clouds, etc.
Oumuamua- Download PDF Here
UPSC Questions about Oumuamua
Where is Oumuamua going now?
Did Oumuamua leave the solar system?
What is Oumuamua made of?
How many interstellar objects have we found?
What is the first known interstellar object on Earth?
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