Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
An interstellar object, possibly 50 times Jupiter’s mass, passed through the solar system, leaving scientists intrigued about its impact.
Astronomers suggest this object’s gravitational pull could have disrupted the orbits of giant planets.
The interstellar visitor altered the eccentricities and inclinations of Jupiter, Saturn, and other gas giants.
Following a hyperbolic path, the object moved at unprecedented speeds, bypassing the Sun’s gravitational pull.
A study reveals a single encounter with such an object could realign planetary orbits significantly.
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Subtle orbital changes triggered by the object could cascade, affecting the entire solar system.
Interstellar objects like this one are exceptionally rare, marking a unique event in cosmic history.
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Small disruptions to gas giant orbits could destabilize the solar system over millennia.
This event suggests that previous interstellar encounters may have shaped our solar system’s dynamics.
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The findings challenge the assumption of solar system stability, hinting at forces beyond our star’s influence.