2026-09-19T21:35:28Zhttps://dspace.mit.edu/server/oai/requestoai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/1389642022-01-15T03:00:48Zcom_1721.1_7582com_1721.1_7581col_1721.1_131024
Weiss, Benjamin P.
Hahn, Katherine M.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
2022-01-14T14:41:35Z
2022-01-14T14:41:35Z
2021-06
2021-06-14T18:15:50.848Z
https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/138964
Currently, the number of interstellar objects through the solar system is a key factor in creating engineering projects that will allow for ISOs to be studied more closely, revealing important information about planetary formation and star system history. Thus, a current observational upper limit of the number density of ISOs through the Solar System was calculated. An updated number density was calculated by incorporating two known ISOs into Engelhardt’s previous estimates which were created through simulation of synthetic ISO detection through the Pan-STARRS1 telescope (Engelhardt 2014). The updated number density was estimated as 0.11 AU⁻³ and 3 * 10⁻³ AU⁻³ for an inert and active population of ISOs, respectively. As more ISOs are detected, it is estimated the number density will continue to increase following a Poisson Distribution until 15 ISOs have been detected at which point a new distribution should be invoked. The increased number density provides motivation for new scientific missions which will aim to explore complex topics such as planetary formation.
S.B.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-EDU/1.0/
Investigation of Interstellar Object Flux Through the Solar System
Thesis
application/pdf
Bachelor
Bachelor of Science in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
Publication
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unknown
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<Abstract>Currently, the number of interstellar objects through the solar system is a key factor in creating engineering projects that will allow for ISOs to be studied more closely, revealing important information about planetary formation and star system history. Thus, a current observational upper limit of the number density of ISOs through the Solar System was calculated. An updated number density was calculated by incorporating two known ISOs into Engelhardt’s previous estimates which were created through simulation of synthetic ISO detection through the Pan-STARRS1 telescope (Engelhardt 2014). The updated number density was estimated as 0.11 AU⁻³ and 3 * 10⁻³ AU⁻³ for an inert and active population of ISOs, respectively. As more ISOs are detected, it is estimated the number density will continue to increase following a Poisson Distribution until 15 ISOs have been detected at which point a new distribution should be invoked. The increased number density provides motivation for new scientific missions which will aim to explore complex topics such as planetary formation.</Abstract>
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