On Distinguishing Interstellar Objects Like `Oumuamua From Products of Solar System Scattering

TL;DR

This paper argues that 'Oumuamua's high velocity makes it unlikely to be a Solar System object scattered by an unknown planet, challenging previous hypotheses about its origin.

Contribution

It provides a conservative upper limit on post-scattering velocities, demonstrating 'Oumuamua's speed exceeds what could be caused by known Solar System scattering within 21 au.

Findings

'Oumuamua's velocity is too high to be explained by known Solar System scattering.

The velocity limit constrains possible origins of interstellar objects.

Previous hypotheses involving unknown planets are unlikely based on velocity constraints.

Abstract

Schneider (2018) explored the possibility that 'Oumuamua is a Solar System object, and concluded that if it is, it must have been scattered by "another, yet unknown planet." I provide an extremely conservative upper limit on post-scattering velocities in the Solar System to show that 'Oumuamua is moving far to quickly to be the result of any hypothetical single scattering event between any bound Solar System objects within 21 au (a distance within which our understanding of objects capable of scattering 'Oumuamua is presumably complete).