3 ms·
what I don't understand is this: if the kinetic energy is higher than the potential energy, what is the probability that it would pass the sun so closely? for b
by DoctorOetker 8y ago
what I don't understand is this: if the kinetic energy is higher than the potential energy, what is the probability that it would pass the sun so closely? for bound objects this is not so surprising.
either these objects are way more frequent than we think and the reason it passed the sun so closely was simply that these would be the first to be observed, or it almost seems aimed to pass the sun closely?
- yesenadam 8y agoWe do think they're very 'frequent': "Astronomers estimate that several interstellar objects of extrasolar origin (like ‘Oumuamua) pass inside the orbit of Earth each year, and that 10,000 are passing inside the orbit of Neptune on any given day." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CA%BBOumuamua#Other_interstellar_objects https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CA%BBOumuamua#Other_interstel...