Some key points (credit to reddit user showmeufos):
- They found 700 spherules using their magnetic sled, and thus far have analyzed 57 of the 700 spherules.
- They conducted mass-spectrometry on 47 of the 57 analyzed spherules thus far. Of those 47, 5 spherules reveal “a distinct extra-solar abundance pattern.”
- Since IM1’s spherules melted off the surface of the object, the enhanced “Be” abundance might represent a flag of cosmic-ray spallation on IM1’s surface along a extended interstellar journey through the Milky-Way galaxy. This constitutes a fourth indicator of an interstellar origin to IM1, in addition to its high speed, its heavy element composition and its iron isotope ratios.
- The enhanced abundances of heavy elements may explain the high material strength inferred for IM1 based on the high ram-pressure it was able to sustain before disintegrating. The high material strength inferred for IM1 can potentially be tested experimentally by assembling a material mix based on the “BeLaU" composition, with proper compensation for lost volatile elements.
- The “extra-solar” spherules have abundances of the elements Be, La and U, (abbreviated “BeLaU”) by up to 3 orders of magnitude more than materials found within the solar-system do.
- “The ‘BeLaU’ abundance pattern is not found in control regions outside of IM1’s path and does not match commonly manufactured alloys or natural meteorites in the solar system.”
- This evidence points towards an association of “BeLaU”-type spherules with IM1, supporting its interstellar origin independently of the high velocity and unusual material strength implied from the CNEOS data.
- They suggest that the “BeLaU” abundance pattern could have originated from a highly differentiated magma ocean of a planet with an iron core outside the solar system or from more exotic sources.
It’s definitely cool. Regardless if this expedition results in any signs of extraterrestrial technologies, it’s still a unique research opportunity.
Yes, I agree. I believe they have a good idea of where a larger piece of material is located, and they are planning another expedition to determine whether this object is artificially made or not.
Likely just molten bits of meteor that cooled into spheres when they hit the ocean. Drip some melted solder into a glass of water and you’ll see what I mean.
Avi Loeb certainly agrees with you and explained it in the linked Medium post and in earlier posts he made during the expedition. The spherules distributed over a wide area. By observing patterns in where they are most densely distributed, they can infer the likely path of the object.
Let’s be real, it’s probably a chunk of rock. But even if that’s all it is, it’s a chunk of rock from outside our solar system. That’s wild.
Say it’s not just a chunk of rock. Say it has sings of manufacture or symbols of some kind. Now we’re getting into the realm of “we’re not alone”. That’s highly unlikely but still a possible outcome.
I reality, this is a massive find and a tremendous accomplishment in the face of endless naysayers who told him the object was mundane and could not be from outside our solar system. Get ready for Loeb going on an epic ego trip victory lap. :)
Seems bizarre to discount the possibility of the material being extraterrestrial. Space rocks collide with our atmosphere dozens of times each day. It would be weirder to see this sort of residue from some earthbound process.
I think that people were reluctant to believe it was from outside our solar system. That is unusual.
Loeb and others have determined there are likely many objects passing through our system at any given time but the odds of any one of them impacting the earth is fairly low.
The opportunity to study these materials directly is pretty amazing.
The scientific establishment is also really freaked out about his theory that oumuamua (not sure I spelled that correctly) might possibly be a piece a instellar space junk. If that were true it would be incredible. I think that people are worried that if he turns out to be right about this object, it will lend his hypothesis about the other object more credence.
The idea that it’s an artificially manufactured item with extrasolar origins is in a totally different galaxy.
Probably so. I’m hoping they are able to find a larger piece to confirm. It’s an exciting discovery nonetheless that this object originated outside of our solar system.
