PBS Space Time Season 2017 Episode 44 The Origin of Our First Interstellar Visitor

PBS Space Time season 2017 episode 44 titled "The Origin of Our First Interstellar Visitor" delves into the fascinating and mysterious object known as 'Oumuamua. In 2017, astronomers detected an object moving through our solar system at an unprecedented speed, indicating that it came from outside our solar system. 'Oumuamua, meaning "scout" in Hawaiian, was the first interstellar object ever discovered.

In this episode, the show's hosts provide an in-depth analysis of 'Oumuamua's trajectory, size, and shape based on data collected by various telescopes and observatories. Through the use of computer simulations and expert knowledge of astronomical phenomena, they explore the possibilities of 'Oumuamua's origin and ultimate destination.

The host first delve into the shape of 'Oumuamua, which has been described as cigar-like. They explain that this shape is highly unusual for an object in our solar system, which typically have round or elliptical orbits. They then move on to 'Oumuamua's incredible speed and trajectory, which indicate that it did not originate from our solar system.

One of the most intriguing aspects of 'Oumuamua is how little we know about its origin and makeup. The hosts explore several theories, including the idea that it is a comet or an asteroid that was ejected from its home system by a gravitational slingshot. Alternatively, it could be a fragment from a larger object that was destroyed in a collision.

As the hosts delve deeper into 'Oumuamua's characteristics, they present fascinating information about some of the structures and phenomena that exist within our galaxy. For example, they explore the concept of "interstellar panspermia," which suggests that living organisms could travel through space on objects like comets or asteroids, potentially leading to the origin of life on Earth.

Ultimately, the hosts provide an engaging and thought-provoking analysis of this fascinating object. They offer several compelling theories about its potential origins and provide insights into the vastness and mysteries of our universe. Overall, "The Origin of Our First Interstellar Visitor" is a fascinating episode for anyone interested in astronomy, space exploration, and the mysteries of the universe.