Interstellar Objects in the Solar System

TL;DR

The discovery of interstellar objects 1I/`Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov has sparked new scientific interest in their properties, origins, and implications for planetary and galactic sciences, despite limited sample size.

Contribution

This paper highlights the emergence of interstellar objects as a new field of study, emphasizing their significance and the need for further research.

Findings

First interstellar objects detected in the solar system

Triggered extensive scientific interest across multiple disciplines

Indicates a potentially large population of interstellar objects

Abstract

1I/`Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov are the first macroscopic interstellar objects to be detected in the solar system. Their discovery has triggered a tsunami of scientific interest regarding the physical properties, dynamics and origin of the so-called interstellar interloper population. While it is clear that a deep understanding of these issues cannot be reached from a sample of just two bodies, the emergence of this new field of astronomical study is particularly fascinating, with ramifications from planetary science to galactic dynamics.