The asteroid is up to one-quarter mile (400 meters) long and highly-elongated - perhaps 10 times as long as it is wide.
However, it displays none of the classic behavior expected of comets, such as a dusty, water-ice particle tail. Initially, it was thought the object could be a comet. It was the first interstellar object seen in the solar system, and it baffled astronomers. It is named after the Hawaiian term for 'scout' or 'messenger' and passed the Earth at about 85 times the distance to the moon. It was first spotted by a telescope in Hawaii on 19 October, and was observed 34 separate times in the following week.
Hawaii observatory full#
While that hyperbolic pattern - which differs from the elliptical shape of objects in our solar system - shows that the object will likely leave our solar system for good, it also portends a longer stay and much more in-depth look than previous interstellar travelers.Įstimates on C/2019 Q4 project that the object could remain within our solar system for between six months to a full year, meaning astronomers may be able to get a particularly good look at its features, on its brightness.Ī cigar-shaped object named 'Oumuamua sailed past Earth at 97,200mph (156,428km/h) in October. 'Based on the available observations, the orbit solution for this object has converged to the hyperbolic elements shown below, which would indicate an interstellar origin.' reads document. On Thursday last week, the center released an official 'circular' - a document detailing information on the object's orbit - which highlighted the apparent comet's eccentric pattern. Last week the Minor Planet Center confirmed that the object, which was spotted at the end of August by amateur astronomer, Gennady Borisov, in Crimea, is likely the second known interstellar object to make a pit stop in our corner of the galaxy.Įstimates on C/2019 Q4 project that the object could remain within our solar system for between six months to a full year, meaning astronomers may be able to get a particularly good look at its features, on its brightness Given its 'hyperbolic' path however, they say there will still be plenty of viewing opportunities in the months ahead. With additional visual details, the observatory says they have provided even more evidence that the object is a comet with a 'pronounced tail' that they say is indicative of 'outgassing' - the release of frozen gasses on the comet.Īstronomers say the current position of the object, dubbed C/2019 Q4, make for difficult observations, since its proximity to the sun creates is crating a twilight. Stephens added that the shot was taken on extremely short notice, with astronomers getting the final details of the comet at 3 am on September 10, a little less than two hours before the object was observed. Astronomers have captured a more in-depth look at what is believed to the second-known interstellar object to fly through our solar system
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