Astronomers recently discovered a bizarre-looking object in our solar system that's unlike anything they've ever seen before. It's so peculiar that astronomers think it's not even from our solar system. They've dubbed this mysterious interstellar asteroid "Oumuamua." Following is a transcript of the video.
This asteroid is not from around here. Turns out, it came from another star system. This is the first time humanity has observed an interstellar object.
Astronomers discovered it on Oct. 19. At first, they thought it was a comet. But its orbit was unlike anything ever seen before, and it was traveling at unusually high speeds: 85,700 mph.
So, astronomers reclassified the object as an interstellar asteroid. Asteroids in our solar system are usually round and lumpy. But this object probably looks more like a giant cigar. Observations suggest it's about a quarter mile long. Right now, it's about 124 million miles from Earth.
Over the next 2 years, it will pass by Jupiter and Saturn's orbits. Astronomers predict it will leave our solar system in Jan. 2019. Making its way into deep space toward the constellation Pegasus.
It may be the first interstellar visitor, but the bigger question is: Will it be the last?