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Cited by 62Astro and Planetary ScienceStellar, planetary, and galactic studiesSpace Satellite Systems and Control

REALISTIC DETECTABILITY OF CLOSE INTERSTELLAR COMETS

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Cook, Nathaniel V., Ragozzine, Darin, Granvik, Mikael, Stephens, Denise C.·2016·The Astrophysical Journal
DOI 10.3847/0004-637x/825/1/51
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Abstract

During the planet formation process, billions of comets are created and ejected into interstellar space. The detection and characterization of such interstellar comets (ICs) (also known as extra-solar planetesimals or extra-solar comets) would give us in situ information about the efficiency and properties of planet formation throughout the galaxy. However, no ICs have ever been detected, despite the fact that their hyperbolic orbits would make them readily identifiable as unrelated to the solar system. Moro-Martín et al. have made a detailed and reasonable estimate of the properties of the IC population. We extend their estimates of detectability with a numerical model that allows us to consider “close” ICs, e.g., those that come within the orbit of Jupiter. We include several constraints on a “detectable” object that allow for realistic estimates of the frequency of detections expected from the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) and other surveys. The influence of several of the assumed model parameters on the frequency of detections is explored in detail. Based on the expectation from Moro-Martín et al., we expect that LSST will detect 0.001–10 ICs during its nominal 10 year lifetime, with most of the uncertainty from the unknown number density of small (nuclei of ∼0.1–1 km) ICs. Both asteroid and comet cases are considered, where the latter includes various empirical prescriptions of brightening. Using simulated LSST-like astrometric data, we study the problem of orbit determination for these bodies, finding that LSST could identify their orbits as hyperbolic and determine an ephemeris sufficiently accurate for follow-up in about 4–7 days. We give the hyperbolic orbital parameters of the most detectable ICs. Taking the results into consideration, we give recommendations to future searches for ICs.

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  • Estimates suggest LSST will increase the number of rare interstellar objects by an order of magnitude, helping constrain planetary system formation frequency and properties in the solar neighborhood.

    “Estimates from Cook et al. ( 2016 ) , Engelhardt et al. ( 2017 ) , and Trilling et al. ( 2017 ) suggest that LSST will increase the number of such rare objects by an order of magnitude, which, among other outcomes, will help constrain the frequency and properties of planetary system formation in the solar neighborhood.”

    From LSST: From Science Drivers to Reference Design and Anticipated Data Products (2019) · cites this paper as Cook et al. 2016

  • The possibility of LSST detecting interstellar comets increases by an order of magnitude or more when considering cometary outbursting.

    “The possibility of LSST detecting interstellar comets increases by an order(s) of magnitude when considering cometary outbursting (Cook et al. 2016), which makes objects brighter, although 1I has shown no signs of activity so far in its observational record.”

    From Implications for Planetary System Formation from Interstellar Object 1I/2017 U1 (‘Oumuamua) (2017) · cites this paper as Cook et al. 2016

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. LSST Science Collaborations, Abell, P. A., Allison, J., et al. 2009, arXiv:0912.0201 · arXiv
  2. Meinke, B., Jedicke, R., & Larsen, J. A. 2004, in Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society 36, AAS/Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting Abstracts (Washington, DC: AAS), 1168
  3. Weissman, P. R. 1996, in ASP Conf. Ser. 107, Completing the Inventory of the Solar System, ed. T. Rettig, & J. M. Hahn (San Francisco, CA: ASP), 265

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Authors
Cook, N. V., Ragozzine, D., Granvik, M., & Stephens, D. C.
Affiliations
  • Brigham Young University (US)
  • Florida Institute of Technology (US)
  • University of Helsinki (FI)
Corresponding author
Cook, Nathaniel V.
ORCID
Venue
The Astrophysical Journal
Publisher
American Astronomical Society
Published
2016-06-27
Volume
825
Issue
1
Pages
51
ISSN
  • 0004-637X (ISSN-L)
  • 1538-4357
DOI
10.3847/0004-637x/825/1/51
OpenAlex
W2460865762
Cited by
62
References
81
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 4
FWCI
4.02
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • The Astrophysical Journal (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
  • Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja (submittedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
  • EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2011
  • Bulletin of the American Physical Society
Funders
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (137853)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Astro and Planetary Science
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Space Satellite Systems and Control
Keywords
interstellar comets, detectability, planet formation, LSST, hyperbolic orbits, orbit determination, astrometry

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