'Oumuamua as a Cometary Fractal Aggregate: the "Dust Bunny" Model

TL;DR

This paper proposes that 'Oumuamua is a fractal dust aggregate formed from cometary fragments, explaining its unusual properties through a model where dust accumulates into a fragile, low-density structure ejected into interstellar space.

Contribution

It introduces a novel 'dust bunny' fractal aggregate model for 'Oumuamua, linking its properties to formation in a fragmenting exo-Oort cloud comet.

Findings

Explains 'Oumuamua's low density and shape as a fractal aggregate.

Suggests formation via dust accumulation in cometary fragments.

Proposes ejection into interstellar space by radiation pressure.

Abstract

The first known interstellar object, 1I/2017 U1 'Oumuamua, displayed such unusual properties that its origin remains a subject of much debate. We propose that 'Oumuamua's properties could be explained as those of a fractal dust aggregate (a "dust bunny") formed in the inner coma of a fragmenting exo-Oort cloud comet. Such fragments could serve as accretion sites by accumulating dust particles, resulting in the formation of a fractal aggregate. The fractal aggregate eventually breaks off from the fragment due to hydrodynamic stress. With their low density and tenuously bound orbits, most of these cometary fractal aggregates are then ejected into interstellar space by radiation pressure.