Discerning between different 'Oumuamua models by optical and infrared observations

TL;DR

This paper explores how combined optical and infrared observations can differentiate between various models of 'Oumuamua by analyzing their thermal properties and signals.

Contribution

It introduces a method to distinguish between different 'Oumuamua models using thermal and infrared observations based on their material properties.

Findings

Infrared signals vary significantly across models.

Thermal properties can help identify 'Oumuamua's composition.

Fractal models predict distinct infrared signatures.

Abstract

The first interstellar object to be observed in our solar system 1I/2017 U1 'Oumuamua combines the lack of observable cometary activity with an extra-gravitational acceleration. This has given rise to several mutually exclusive explanations based on different assumptions in the material composition of 'Oumuamua. We show how a combination of observations in the infrared and optical spectra may serve to distinguish between these explanations once another object with 'Omuamua-like properties comes close enough to earth. This possibility is linked to the widely different thermal properties of the different material models that have been proposed. Developing a model for the thermal conduction and infrared signal from a fractal model we compare predictions of the infrared signal with that from standard thermal models that assume 'Oumuamua to be either a solid piece of rock/ice or a thin sheet.