'Oumuamua: A Mysterious Interstellar Interloper

Explore the enigmatic interstellar object 'Oumuamua in this captivating lecture by Amaya Moro-Martin from the Space Telescope Science Institute. Delve into the groundbreaking 2017 discovery that transformed astronomers' understanding of interstellar visitors. Examine the observations made by various telescopes, uncovering the object's mysterious brightness and trajectory. Investigate the puzzling non-gravitational acceleration in 'Oumuamua's unbound orbit and contemplate its possible origins and composition. Learn about the formation of planetary systems, the ejection of objects into interstellar space, and the implications for our galaxy. Discover the connection between 'Oumuamua and topics such as black holes, comets, and the Vera Rubin Observatory. Explore concepts like radiation pressure, fractal structure, and cosmic dust bunnies. Consider the potential of interstellar objects as seeds for life and ponder the fragility of 'Oumuamua. Gain insights into the second detected interstellar interloper and the broader implications for our understanding of the cosmos.