When the interstellar object (ISO) 'Oumuamua appeared in our solar system in 2017, it generated a ton of interest. The urge to learn more about it was fierce, but unfortunately, there was no way to really do so. It came and went, and we were left to ponder what it was made of and where it came from. Then, in 2019, the ISO comet Borisov came for a brief visit, and again, we were left to wonder about it.
We’re so used to the idea of the speed of light constraining us from studying the vastness of space up close, that we often forget a simple fact. Sometimes, some of that distant space comes to us. 40,000 tons of interstellar dust hits our atmosphere every year. The vast majority of it comes from within our solar system - but not all. It’s fascinating to wonder if the first evidence of alien life might be contained in it.
Ditto suggestions like this. This might be our best chance to study material from other distant solar systems elsewhere in our galaxy.
We’re so used to the idea of the speed of light constraining us from studying the vastness of space up close, that we often forget a simple fact. Sometimes, some of that distant space comes to us. 40,000 tons of interstellar dust hits our atmosphere every year. The vast majority of it comes from within our solar system - but not all. It’s fascinating to wonder if the first evidence of alien life might be contained in it.
Ditto suggestions like this. This might be our best chance to study material from other distant solar systems elsewhere in our galaxy.