New Theory on Mysterious Oumuamua Space Object Revealed

Astronomers are hypothesizing that Oumuamua, the first interstellar object to enter the solar system, could have come from a still-forming system and that giant planets' gravitational effects could have spread pieces of debris throughout the galaxy, Live Science is reporting.

The astronomers discovered the peculiar object in the solar system in 2017. The object was named Oumuamua, a Hawaiian word that roughly translates to "the scout," according to the Live Science article written by astrophysicist Paul Sutter.

The dull shaped object is only a few hundred feet long and very thin. It has a very dull red color.

Live Science noted older solar systems don't eject enough raw material to saturate the galaxy. But young solar systems are different. Particularly, those with Neptune-like planets, on the edge of a solar system with reservoirs of comets around it.

Enough interaction with the debris field and a Neptune-like planet could send objects like Oumuamua flying out into interstellar space.

But Sutter cautions this is strictly a hypothesis.

"The more we watch the skies, the more interstellar interlopers we are sure to find," he wrote.

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