Futurology

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New research suggests up to 70 interstellar objects, like 2017's Oumuamua, could pass through our solar system every year, and ESA's upcoming Comet Interceptor Mission could be adapted to visit one. (phys.org)

submitted 9 months ago by Lugh to c/futurology

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[–] Lugh 7 points 9 months ago

We're so used to the idea of the speed of light constraining us from studying the vastness of space up close, that we often forget a simple fact. Sometimes, some of that distant space comes to us. 40,000 tons of interstellar dust hits our atmosphere every year. The vast majority of it comes from within our solar system - but not all. It's fascinating to wonder if the first evidence of alien life might be contained in it.

Ditto suggestions like this. This might be our best chance to study material from other distant solar systems elsewhere in our galaxy.