Multiple Interstellar Objects , Have Visited Our Solar System, , Study Suggests.<br />In 2017, astronomers identified the <br />first-ever Interstellar Object (ISO), dubbed <br />Oumuamua, traveling through our solar system.<br />ScienceAlert reports that Comet 2I <br />Borisov became the second ISO to <br />enter our solar system in August 2019.<br />A new study suggests that many ISOs have <br />likely visited in the past. Some may have even <br />been captured in solar orbits around our sun.<br />Interstellar objects present <br />a unique mechanism to investigate <br />the formation and evolution of <br />planetary systems including our own, 'Close Encounters of the Interstellar Kind: Exploring the Presence <br />of Interstellar Objects in Near Earth Orbit,' via ScienceAlert .<br />ScienceAlert reports that ISOs offer <br />astronomers insight into how other <br />solar systems form and evolve.<br />According to the paper's authors, ISOs offer an opportunity to "… investigate the formation and evolution of planetary systems, including our own.".<br />The team found that the Earth, Moon and Jupiter create a capture cross-section that dominates , "the capture of interstellar objects into near-Earth orbits <br />by a factor of 104 compared to that of Earth-Moon.".<br />The team found that the Earth, Moon and Jupiter create a capture cross-section that dominates , "the capture of interstellar objects into near-Earth orbits <br />by a factor of 104 compared to that of Earth-Moon.".<br />A captured ISO is unlikely to have <br />a stable orbit, but these odd <br />orbital parameters could level out over time. .<br />We caution the reader that this is not <br />a full representation of present-day <br />captured ISOs by Earth and Jupiter <br />(should they exist). ISOs captured <br />in the past will evolve their orbital <br />parameters over time due to interactions <br />with other planets in the Solar System, 'Close Encounters of the Interstellar Kind: Exploring the Presence <br />of Interstellar Objects in Near Earth Orbit,' via ScienceAlert .<br />We caution the reader that this is not <br />a full representation of present-day <br />captured ISOs by Earth and Jupiter <br />(should they exist). ISOs captured <br />in the past will evolve their orbital <br />parameters over time due to interactions <br />with other planets in the Solar System, 'Close Encounters of the Interstellar Kind: Exploring the Presence <br />of Interstellar Objects in Near Earth Orbit,' via ScienceAlert .<br />The authors of the study say the best way to explore <br />ISOs is by investigating one. The European Space Agency has partnered with the Japanese Space Agency to <br />launch the Comet Interceptor in 2029. .<br />The authors of the study say the best way to explore <br />ISOs is by investigating one. The European Space Agency has partnered with the Japanese Space Agency to <br />launch the Comet Interceptor in 2029.
