If alien life were ever to visit our planet, or even just our solar system, what might it look like? What form would it take, and what would be their reasons for coming here? More importantly, would we even recognize them, or realize they had been here at all?

According to NASA, “The first known interstellar object to visit our solar system, 1I/2017 U1 ‘Oumuamua, was discovered Oct. 19, 2017 by the University of Hawaii’s Pan-STARRS1 telescope." Although the mysterious object was originally thought to be a comet, "observations revealed no signs of cometary activity after it slingshotted past the Sun on Sept. 9, 2017 at a blistering speed of 196,000 miles per hour." 

Most astronomers still believe that Oumuamua was either an asteroid, a comet, or some similar space object… albeit a strange one. However, a few scientists have been willing to come forward with more exotic ideas. Joining us to discuss this possibility is Avi Loeb, a Harvard University astronomer and author of the new book Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth. 

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Show Notes

Below are links to stories and other content featured in this episode:

• NEWS: Indonesia: Archaeologists find world's oldest animal cave painting
• Bootprints and other human artifacts on Moon officially protected by new US law
• Space station detectors spot the source of weird ‘blue jet’ lightning
• The 'coronasomnia' phenomenon keeping you from getting sleep
• Microsoft patents chatbot that could imitate deceased loved ones
• OUMUAMUA: In Depth | Oumuamua – NASA Solar System Exploration
• AVI LOEB: Professor Abraham (Avi) Loeb - Harvard CfA
• Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth

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