#391: Chasing 'Oumuamua: The Interstellar Pursuit and the Pancake Planets Puzzle

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Prepare to embark on an astronomical chase like no other! In this riveting episode of Space Nuts, we delve into the ambitious plans to capture our solar system's elusive visitor, the exo-asteroid 'Oumuamua. Once thought to be an impossible feat, we explore the groundbreaking strategy that could see us rendezvousing with this interstellar interloper by 2057. The race is on to unlock the secrets it holds and to answer the burning question: is it a mere space rock or a piece of extraterrestrial technology?
But the intrigue doesn't stop there. We also turn our gaze to the cradles of cosmic birth, where planets emerge. Forget the traditional image of infant planets as perfect spheres; new research suggests these celestial newborns might be more M&M-shaped than we ever imagined. Join us as we dissect the latest theories on planet formation and ponder whether our very own Earth started life as an oblate spheroid.
With technical glitches providing an unexpected twist, Andrew and Fred navigate through these cosmic conundrums with their characteristic blend of expertise and humor. So, get ready to rethink your understanding of the cosmos, from chasing down interstellar objects to the peculiar shapes of nascent planets, all on this episode of Space Nuts.
Remember, the universe is vast and full of wonders waiting to be discovered. Don't miss a moment of the journey—tune in now to Space Nuts!
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
· Explore the detailed plan to chase 'Oumuamua at cosmosmagazine.com
· Dive into the latest theories on planet formation at phys.org (that's P-H-Y-S.org)
· Engage with the Space Nuts community and send in your cosmic queries or thoughts
Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:00 - Introduction: Andrew Dunckley sets the stage for today's cosmic topics.
00:02:15 - The Chase for 'Oumuamua: Discussing the potential mission to intercept the mysterious exo-asteroid.
00:11:30 - Planet Formation Theories: A new twist on how planets might take shape, suggesting they start as oblate spheroids rather than spheres.
00:20:45 - Listener Engagement: Encouraging the audience to share their thoughts and questions for future episodes.

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