1I/ʻOumuamua
The first confirmed interstellar object, detected in October 2017 on its way out of the Solar System. Its strongly hyperbolic orbit (eccentricity about 1.2) showed it was never bound to the Sun. It displayed no visible coma, is highly elongated, and showed a slight non-gravitational acceleration — features that drew wide attention, though the scientific consensus is that it is a natural body.
Note
The unusual shape and slight non-gravitational acceleration prompted speculation about an artificial origin; that speculation is not supported by the evidence, and the scientific consensus is a natural body (an ejected planetesimal or comet-like fragment).
Physical & orbital character
How it was identified
Knowledge connections
- Trajectory classInterstellar Hyperbolic Trajectory
- Associated withExcess Hyperbolic Velocity
- Associated withIncoming-Trajectory Analysis
- Surveyed byPan-STARRS
- Catalogued inMinor Planet Center
- Catalogued inNASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- Minor Planet CenterIAU Minor Planet Center
Designations and orbits of asteroids, comets, and minor bodies.
- NASA JPLJet Propulsion Laboratory / Solar System Dynamics
Orbital data, ephemerides, and small-body parameters for planets, asteroids, and comets.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.
- NASA ADSNASA Astrophysics Data System
Bibliographic index of peer-reviewed astronomy and astrophysics literature.