Comments on: Astronomers discover very distant object orbiting the Sun

By: Robert Zimmerman

Robert Zimmerman — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 22:08:29 +0000

In reply to Chris. Chris: Thank you. Post is fixed.

By: Blair Ivey

Blair Ivey — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 21:37:52 +0000

I read a story in Analog years ago that posited planetoids in a 70,000 yr orbit between Sol and the Centauri system, which at least sounds plausible. But I suspect relative motion would disrupt any such orbit. It does seem interstellar space may not be as empty as believed.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 21:34:54 +0000

Bob,

Is this the title you intended? Distance vs. distant

By: Phill O

Phill O — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 19:42:33 +0000

Good idea wodun! I would expect several more Plutantoids being discovered also.

By: wodun

wodun — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 19:05:11 +0000

It would be nice if one of the decadal science surveys prioritized a mass survey of the asteroid belt and/or oort cloud. With launch prices coming down and innovative satellite designs, it might be possible to mass produce and launch enough probes to make a serious effort at mapping the asteroid belt and oort cloud.

It isn’t as flashy as a trip to Europa but in the long term is probably much more beneficial.