'Alien asteroid' might be the oldest object in the solar system
An "alien asteroid" that circles the sun in the giant gas planet Jupiter's orbital path, but hurtling in the opposite direction, is the first-known permanent resident of our solar system that astronomers have concluded originated in another star system. "It is a strong candidate for the oldest object in the solar system," said astronomer Fathi Namouni of Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur in France. "If the solar system had a consular service and could issue visas to incoming asteroids, then 'Oumuamua had only a short-stay visa whereas BZ was issued a green card," signifying permanent-resident status, Dr Namouni said. The researchers said a few dozen other solar system objects with retrograde orbits are being investigated as possible "alien asteroids".
Discover Related
Spinning through space: The astronomers watching the skies for asteroids
Mysterious cloud at solar system’s edge found to host strange ‘mini galaxy’
Indian scientists discover alien planet that can fit 263 Earths inside it
Something big passed through Solar System and changed the orbit of its planets
Nasa discovers seven new mysterious dark comets that we know very little about
Nasa creates history with discovery of 6 new planets outside Solar System
New Earth-sized planet discovered next to star that will outlive the Sun
Scientists discover possible location of ninth planet in Solar System
Newly discovered asteroid passed between Earth and Moon in close encounter
Astronomers find unprecedented ‘disc’ around distant planet
Nasa extends Diwali greetings with unique globular cluster containing stars
What are JuMBOs, 'Jupiter-sized' objects discovered floating in space?
4.6 billion-year-old meteorite sheds light on early solar system – study
The giant next door: What clues does Jupiter hold to the future of the solar system?
Astronomers discover exoplanet that may have a sibling sharing the same orbit
Strange Uranus-size alien planet could be trapped in edge of the Solar System
Astronomers find rare planet circling two stars like Star Wars’s Tatooine
Mighty Discovery: The alien planet that is 13 times more massive than Jupiter
Earth-like planet covered with erupting volcanoes discovered
Birth of a planet spotted by astronomers for only the third time ever
Huge meteorite discovered in Antarctica contains oldest material in solar system