Short Wave An Interstellar Wanderer Is Coming Our Way
Dec 3, 2019
Join Michele Bannister, a planetary astronomer from Queen's University Belfast, as she unravels the mysteries of comet 2I/Borisov. Discover the thrilling journey of this interstellar visitor, from its verification by the Hubble telescope to the secrets it unveils about our galaxy. Bannister discusses the complexities of comet formation and the significance of their origins. Get ready to explore how studying such cosmic travelers could revolutionize our understanding of planetary systems and the universe!
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Discovery of 2I/Borisov
- Gennady Borisov, a comet discoverer, spotted an unusual object.
- Initially mistaken for a typical comet, it turned out to be interstellar, now named 2I/Borisov.
What is a Comet?
- Comets, essentially icy dust balls or dusty ice balls, are fundamental building blocks of planetary systems.
- They represent a transition between rocky asteroids and icy bodies.
Origin of Comets
- Familiar comets like Halley's originate within our solar system, specifically from reservoirs like the Oort cloud.
- This cloud resides far beyond Earth's orbit, a source of many comets.