Astronomer claims to have found fragments of an interstellar meteorite – DW – 06/29/2023

In 2014, US satellites registered the impact of an extremely rare and fast-moving body on Earth, that entered the skies near Papua New Guinea. Now the astrophysicist is a UFO hunter Avi Loeb He thinks he and his team may have recovered small fragments of the interstellar visitor, dubbed IM1 – which measure less than half a meter – from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

According to scientists, in their expedition, which began on June 14, they have already found “anomalous” magnetic globules, steel fragments, strange cables and piles of volcanic ash, using an underwater magnetic sled, but they haven’t identified anything yet. Let it be unequivocally alien or among the stars.

Loeb firmly believes that IM1 goes beyond our solar system. This is because of the incredible speed with which it impacted our oceans: according to records, IM1 crashed at a staggering 100,000 miles per hour. Pentagon confirmed later Its location and suggested possible interstellar source.

Controversial theories about the interstellar object “Oumuamua and IM1

Loeb, a professor of science at Harvard University, made a name for himself in the past with his search for artifacts that could belong to an extraterrestrial civilization, as well as his controversial theories about the interstellar being ‘Oumuamua, who flew to Earth. in October 2017.

Likewise, Loeb has drawn attention to his IM1 theory: a meteorite, Loeb argues, could be an artifact, “technological fingerprint,” or technical marker of an alien civilization, something that has caused great skepticism in the scientific community.

However, the truth is that other than the extravagance of his theories, if Loeb can prove that the object is undoubtedly interstellar, he can go from being an intruder to a science star.

Avi Loeb: “Learn about other technological civilizations of the universe”

“It was the most exciting experiment of my scientific career,” Loeb said. Vice From the expedition ship named Silver Star. “It reflects a unique opportunity to learn about other technological civilizations of the universe by studying the Pacific Ocean.”

“There’s a periodic hum from the Silver Star when we get the sleigh back,” he said. He added, “Facing the ocean and waiting for the sled’s techno signatures, this one sounds like a dramatic, dramatic roll.”

in the post in the gate mode, Loeb was optimistic about the globules finding that, unlike previous discoveries, they were not spherical. “If these bodies were associated with IM1, they would explain most of the collective residues we have recovered from IM1 so far,” Loeb wrote.

Doubt about the origin of the balls

According to the BBC, globules like those found by the Harvard alien hunter and his team are often the hallmark of meteorites or asteroids, which are created when they violently explode. However, many scientists are skeptical, pointing out that globules can also be created by terrestrial processes.

Mark Fries, NASA cosmic dust keeper, He explained to the BBC Small metal balls are very common on Earth. “It comes from car exhausts, car brakes, welding, volcanoes and maybe some other sources that we haven’t identified yet,” he said.

Not to mention that they may be pieces from the hundreds of meteorites that rain down on us every year.

Nevertheless, Loeb was accustomed to taking the skepticism of his fellow scientists with a sporting spirit. However, he is aware of the difficulty of a task such as the one he undertakes aboard the Silver Star, and wrote on his blog, “I admit the chances of success are low.” However, I think it’s worth the risk.

Edited by Felipe Espinosa Wang.