Metallic spheres discovered on the Pacific ocean floor have been identified as potentially having an interstellar origin, according to Harvard professor Avi Loeb. Investigating a meteor that had fallen into the Pacific Ocean, Loeb and his team have retrieved these small metallic objects, raising questions about their extraterrestrial nature.
While it’s uncertain whether these spheres are natural or artificial in origin, the team is confident that they differ significantly from any alloys within our solar system. The success of the expedition underscores the significance of venturing into new territories in science for fresh discoveries.
Harvard Professor Avi Loeb’s team confirms the interstellar origin of fragments from a meteor that hit Papua New Guinea waters in 2014. (Images: Avi Loeb)
Led by Loeb, the research team partnered with EYOS Expeditions for a two-week mission aboard the Silver Star boat. Backed by entrepreneur Charles Hoskinson’s $1.5 million investment, the team aimed to recover remnants of a unique meteorite named IM1, which had entered Earth’s atmosphere in 2014.
Although data from this meteorite went unnoticed for years, Loeb’s findings and subsequent studies provided validation for its interstellar origins.
In June, Avi Loeb and his team examined the magnetic sled haul on a rainy night. (Image: Avi Loeb)
Over 700 Spheres Retrieved
The latest expedition resulted in the retrieval of over 700 submillimeter-sized metallic spherules, showcasing a significant discovery. Early analysis indicates that some spherules contain a unique composition of heavy elements, labeled as “BeLaU,” which doesn’t match terrestrial or solar system-based alloys.
While the precise origin is yet to be determined, this finding sheds light on the possibility of these objects originating from an exoplanet’s iron core. Research continues across multiple laboratories to unveil the origins of these metallic spheres. With a paper already submitted for publication, the discoveries from this expedition mark a significant step forward in our understanding of interstellar materials.
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