Fact Check: Interstellar objects can originate from outside our Solar System.

Fact Check: "Interstellar objects can originate from outside our Solar System."

What We Know

Interstellar objects are defined as astronomical objects that exist in interstellar space and are not gravitationally bound to a star. This category includes asteroids, comets, and rogue planets, which can originate from outside our Solar System. The first recognized interstellar objects to pass through our Solar System were 1I/ʻOumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019. Both of these objects exhibited hyperbolic trajectories, indicating they did not originate from the Solar System but rather from other star systems (Wikipedia).

Astronomers estimate that numerous interstellar objects of extrasolar origin pass within the orbit of Earth each year, with estimates suggesting that around 10,000 such objects are passing inside the orbit of Neptune daily (Wikipedia). The processes that lead to the ejection of these objects from their original stellar systems are varied, including gravitational interactions with other celestial bodies (Wikipedia).

Analysis

The claim that interstellar objects can originate from outside our Solar System is supported by substantial scientific evidence. The discovery of ʻOumuamua and Borisov, both of which were confirmed to have hyperbolic excess velocities, strongly indicates their origins from outside the Solar System (Wikipedia). The hyperbolic trajectory is a key characteristic that distinguishes interstellar objects from those that are gravitationally bound to the Sun.

Moreover, research suggests that many small celestial bodies, including comets and asteroids, are ejected from their original systems due to gravitational interactions with other massive bodies, such as stars or planets (Wikipedia). This process is supported by computer simulations and observational data, which indicate that a significant number of comets are ejected into interstellar space, potentially outnumbering those retained within their original Oort clouds (Wikipedia).

While some scientists, such as Avi Loeb, have proposed more speculative theories regarding the nature of these objects, including the possibility of artificial origins for certain interstellar objects, the fundamental assertion that interstellar objects can originate from outside our Solar System remains well-supported by empirical evidence (Mexican scientists reveal the origin of Oumuamua).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that interstellar objects can originate from outside our Solar System is substantiated by a wealth of scientific data and observations. The existence of interstellar objects like ʻOumuamua and Borisov, along with the mechanisms by which celestial bodies can be ejected from their original systems, confirms that these objects indeed have extrasolar origins.