Avi Loeb, a physicist from Harvard University, has retrieved 50 small iron fragments from the Pacific Ocean, suggesting they could be remnants of an interstellar alien spaceship. Loeb connects this finding to a fireball observed in 2014 that traveled faster than most meteors before disintegrating over the South Pacific.
The meteor, officially known as CNEOS 20140108 or IM1 (interstellar meteor), was monitored by the US Department of Defense's sensors. While Loeb makes a bold claim, there remains a significant scientific gap between observing a fireball and asserting its extraterrestrial origin. The basis of evidence supporting Loeb's assertion and the actual likelihood of its validity warrant further examination.
Intriguing Interstellar Object
The appearance of the interstellar comet 'Oumuamua in 2017 sparked curiosity and speculation about potential alien origin. Avi Loeb, in a 2018 article, suggested that 'Oumuamua could be artificial, prompting further investigation into interstellar debris within the Solar System.
According to Science Alert, Loeb's team searched the CNEOS database and identified CNEOS 20140108, later named IM1, as an interstellar meteor due to its high velocity.
Loeb's recent discovery of 50 iron fragments at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean adds to his claim. His team targeted a specific region in the South Pacific, where they believed debris from IM1 would be deposited. Through a dredging operation using a powerful magnet, they recovered these fragments.
However, the question remains: what is the likelihood that Loeb has indeed found interstellar debris, let alone material from an alien spaceship?
The discovery of 'Oumuamua and Loeb's findings with IM1 has spurred debates and skepticism in the scientific community. Further analysis and examination of the evidence will be crucial to assess the validity of Loeb's claims and the actual nature of these mysterious objects.
Extraterrestrial Spherules in the Pacific Ocean
Loeb who received funding from Charles Hoskinson is leading an expedition to recover potential fragments of IM1 from the Pacific Ocean. The team has retrieved over 50 magnetic spherules made of iron, magnesium, and titanium, which Loeb considers "anomalous" due to their low nickel content.
However, doubts arise regarding the origin of these spherules. Experts argue that similar extraterrestrial spherules have been known to accumulate on the ocean floor for millions of years, resulting from meteors depositing molten metal fragments.
Peter Brown, a meteorite specialist, told Live Science that it is challenging to link a specific spherule to a particular event due to ocean currents and sedimentary movements.
Furthermore, questions have been raised about IM1's interstellar nature. Brown suggests that the meteor's high estimated speed upon entering the atmosphere may be overstated by government sensors.
He also notes discrepancies in the object's brightness profile, which would not align with expectations for a metallic meteor moving at such high speeds. While interstellar origins cannot be completely ruled out, there have been no confirmed impacts of interstellar meteorites on Earth to date.
The scientific community remains skeptical about the possibility of extraterrestrial technology. While such a discovery would be remarkable, experts highlight the absence of evidence supporting an extreme hypothesis.
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