Interstellar visitor (?)

[robkelk]

Assuming that this Minor Planet Electronic Circular is correct, the Solar System has some company: a comet from some other Oort cloud.

Discussion is ensuing.

(News spotted here.)

[hazard]

If that is really from another system we need a probe for data ASAP. Somebody tell the scientists at your space program of choice. And all the other space programs.

Also, to see if comets from other systems are indeed potential vectors for planet destroying life forms, as terrible movies would tell us they are.

[Dartz]

Dropping magnitude?

It's been and gone. It's harvested our DNA, kidnapped a few drunken hicks, then flown on back to wherever.

[robkelk]

It's been and gone.

Which means they missed.

This time.

But they've confirmed range to target...

[robkelk]

More seriously, our visitor now has a number and a name: 1I/'Oumuamua

[Bob Schroeck]

Nice. And that's a cool little document to read.

[robkelk]

{blows dust off thread)

We might have another one

[ECSNorway]

We missed Rama I, here comes Rama II... will we be able to get to it this time?

[hazard]

Probably not.

To put it quite simply, the trajectories of such bodies make them hard to intercept and often need specific mission profiles and equipment designed for the rendezvous just to have a chance. And we don't have one ready right now to do the job.