UNITED STATES: Speculation rises about extraterrestrial origin! In a bizarre turn of events, famous physicist Avi Loeb from Harvard University has discovered 50 minute, spherical iron particles in the Pacific Ocean’s depths. Loeb suggests that these mysterious fragments might be material derived from an interstellar alien spacecraft, reigniting the ongoing debate about the existence of extraterrestrial life.
The genesis of Loeb’s claim can be traced back to a remarkable fireball event witnessed in January 2014. This meteor, known as CNEOS 20140108 or IM1, was meticulously monitored by sensors belonging to the US Department of Defense, responsible for tracking celestial objects entering Earth’s atmosphere. The meteor exhibited an exceptionally high velocity, eventually disintegrating over the South Pacific Ocean near Papua New Guinea.
While the object itself is currently in possession of NASA’s Centre for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), Loeb’s team dug into the extensive CNEOS database in search of unusual orbital characteristics. Their efforts culminated in the discovery of CNEOS 20140108, which, due to its remarkable speed, Loeb hypothesizes to be an interstellar meteor, dubbing it IM1 for convenience.
Intriguingly, Loeb’s research is not his first venture into the realm of extraterrestrial mysteries. He previously captivated the scientific community with his speculation about ‘Oumuamua, an enigmatic interstellar object that traversed our Solar System in 2017. Loeb ventured to suggest that ‘Oumuamua might be of artificial origin, potentially crafted by an advanced alien civilization. In his article, he urged scientists to embark on a quest to uncover more interstellar debris within our Solar System.
The recent discovery of spherical iron fragments presents a new avenue for exploration and debate. These metallic spherules, each measuring approximately half a millimetre in diameter, could potentially hail from outer space. Historical expeditions, including the groundbreaking HMS Challenger voyage of 1872-76, have previously recovered similar cosmic spherules from the ocean floor. These peculiar particles form as molten material solidifies after being ripped from meteorite surfaces during atmospheric entry.
However, confirming the extraterrestrial origin of these spherules poses a significant challenge. Over the past century, Earth has witnessed a surge in pollution, making it increasingly difficult to discern between cosmic spherules and terrestrial pollutants. Thorough compositional analysis and a comparative study with meteorite samples and common Earthly contaminants are necessary to authenticate their extraterrestrial nature.
Loeb’s claims extend beyond the material being of space origin; he contends that these fragments might actually originate from interstellar space itself, boldly asserting that “this could be the first time humans put their hands on interstellar material.”
Nevertheless, it is important to note that Earth has already amassed an abundance of interstellar material. This includes organic molecules, such as carbon chains and rings, found within the interstellar medium—the space between stars. Some of this material, in the form of tiny diamonds or sapphires, was incorporated into the dust cloud from which our Solar System formed and subsequently delivered to Earth through meteorites.
Critics argue that Loeb’s evidence for an extraterrestrial or interstellar source is tenuous at best. The composition of the spherules, predominantly iron with trace metals, suggests a possible non-Solar System origin. However, definitive determination necessitates the exclusion of terrestrial pollutants and debris originating from within our Solar System.
The age of the spherules becomes a crucial factor; establishing an age surpassing that of the Sun would strongly support an interstellar origin. However, even if proven to be interstellar, the question of artificial versus natural origin remains unanswered, as natural processes can also produce such materials.
Also Read: NASA’s Discovery of Carbon Molecule in Space Offers Glimpse into Potential for Extraterrestrial Life
