A recent draft paper by a Harvard scientist and a Pentagon official proposes that the interstellar object ‘Oumuamua might be an alien spacecraft deploying miniature probes to other planets.
Harvard University astronomer Avi Loeb and Sean M. Kirkpatrick, director of the Pentagon’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), set up in July 2022 by the Department of Defense to investigate unexplained phenomena, have co-authored this intriguing paper.
In their study titled “Physical Constraints on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena,” they explore the possibility of an alien spaceship near Earth, releasing probe-like devices akin to “dandelion seeds” for planetary exploration. These devices, they note, could be comparable to NASA’s space exploration crafts.
Loeb, a prominent figure in discussions about extraterrestrial life, has previously raised the possibility of alien technology being hidden in a meteor found in the South Pacific in September 2022. He is also well-known for his work on ‘Oumuamua.
Initially thought to be a comet when discovered in 2017, ‘Oumuamua’s unusual cigar shape and lack of a gaseous coma typical of comets brought this theory into doubt. Its acceleration away from the Sun further fueled Loeb’s speculation of it being an extraterrestrial craft.
Interestingly, a few months before ‘Oumuamua’s approach to Earth, a small meteor named IM2, about three feet in size, collided with our planet. Although not directly related to ‘Oumuamua, this event led Loeb to ponder the idea that an interstellar artificial object could be a mother craft releasing numerous probes near Earth, similar to NASA’s mission strategies.
Loeb told Live Science, “These ‘dandelion seeds’… could be separated from the parent craft by the tidal gravitational force of the Sun or by a maneuvering capability.”
In their draft paper, Loeb and Kirkpatrick propose that these ‘dandelion seed’ probes could reach Earth undetected for exploration. Their small size would render them almost invisible, as they wouldn’t reflect enough sunlight to be spotted by telescopes.
The scientists write, “With proper design, these tiny probes would reach the Earth or other solar system planets for exploration, as the parent craft passes by within a fraction of the Earth-Sun separation — just like ‘Oumuamua did.”
They explain that the mini probes’ inability to reflect sufficient sunlight means they would go unnoticed by current survey telescopes.
Furthermore, the duo suggests that if these probes were designed with a “large surface-to-mass ratio of a parachute,” they could slow down sufficiently upon entering Earth’s atmosphere, preventing them from burning up. This would enable them to explore freely upon landing.
Loeb and Kirkpatrick theorize that aliens would be interested in exploring rocky planets with an atmosphere, particularly Venus, Earth, and Mars, with Earth being a prime target due to its abundant water.
Interestingly, they note that the alien civilization responsible for these probes might not be present on the mothership and may even be extinct, considering the age of most stars in our solar system compared to the Sun.
They speculate that a habitable planet with intelligent life could have been sending out probes long before Earth was formed. Loeb compares this to “checking our mailbox for any packages that may have accumulated over time there, even if the senders are not alive anymore.”
Loeb’s ideas have often sparked debate in the astronomical community. As The Wall Street Journal reports, some recent studies suggest ‘Oumuamua could be a natural phenomenon.
While the paper by Loeb and Kirkpatrick is still under peer review, it opens up interesting possibilities.
This ties into what Loeb calls the “‘Oumuamua Wager,” akin to Pascal’s Wager from the 17th century. Pascal’s Wager argued that it’s rational to live as if God exists, as the benefits outweigh the costs. Similarly, Loeb’s ‘Oumuamua Wager posits that considering ‘Oumuamua as an alien spacecraft could expand our understanding of life beyond Earth.
