Harvard astronomer defends theory interstellar object could have been alien spacecraft

[yuiyoshida]

The chairman of Harvard University's astronomy department has defended his controversial claim that an interstellar object that passed through our solar system could have been "of artificial origin".

Professors Abraham Loeb and Shmuel Bialy suggested the cigar-shaped object which passed through the solar system in late 2017 and early 2018 could have been a discarded light sail of extra-terrestrial origin, perhaps sent here on purpose.

The theory was greeted with scepticism, and was dismissed as "wild speculation" by Robert Weryk, the scientist who discovered the object — later named 'Oumuamua, a Hawaiian word meaning "a messenger from afar arriving first".

But in a wide-ranging interview with Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Professor Loeb said he did not care what people said, commenting that: "Science isn't like politics, it is not based on popularity polls".

He said his article was written after conversations with his colleagues, who were "apprehensive about making their thoughts public".

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https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-14/harvard-astronomer-defends-oumuamua-alien-theory/10713210

[Xipe Totec]

1. Professor Loeb said he did not care what people said - I have tenure so eff off. nt

[keithbvadu2]

2. So, prove me wrong.