(ORDO NEWS) — The calculations of the famous Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb led to such a figure. The results of his work are currently awaiting peer review.
This study is a continuation of the work concerning the first recorded interstellar object Oumuamua, which visited the solar system in 2017.
The data obtained from its passage indicate that it was a very strange object, the origin of which is still hotly debated by scientists.
For example, it has been suggested that due to its cigar shape and unforeseen accelerations, it could be a probe sent into the solar system by extraterrestrial civilizations.
And although Loeb did not directly say that ‘Oumuamua is an alien ship, he suggested that this could be the case, and we should be ready to admit this if there is appropriate evidence.
In light of this perspective, the astrophysicist is now asking the question that world-respected scientists dare not ask: How many objects like ‘Oumuamua could lie undetected in the solar system?
To answer that question, Loeb and fellow Harvard astronomer Carson Ezell looked at how many interstellar visitors we’ve detected so far.
“Recent detections of interstellar objects and known capabilities can be used to estimate the density of such objects in the vicinity of the Sun,” the scientists write.
Since ʻOumuamua appeared, astronomers have discovered three more interstellar objects, making four in eight years.
At this rate, Loeb and Ezeller calculated that there could be as many as 4 quintillion interstellar objects lurking in the entire solar system, including areas inaccessible to our instruments.
Some of Loeb’s theories are borderline, but he never ceases to raise the most interesting questions for the scientific community.
Even if most of the 4 quintillion interstellar objects turn out to be simple fragments of space rock, which, according to Loeb, is quite likely, then some of these objects could be ships or probes of extraterrestrial civilizations .
Earlier, Avi Loeb said that his Galileo project will share the results of its work with the public by 2023. The scientist said that the Galileo project will present all its data on natural and artificial extraterrestrial objects .
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