Discovering Anomalies: Extra-Galactic Meteor Observed by Russian Scientists"

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter neutrino
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the observation of a potential extra-galactic meteor by Russian scientists, specifically the findings reported by Victor Afanasiev and the implications of the observed anomalies in the meteor's spectrum. The scope includes theoretical considerations of extra-galactic objects, skepticism regarding the conclusions drawn, and the nature of meteor observations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a preference for discussions on anomalies like the extra-galactic meteor over more conventional topics such as dark-matter halos.
  • Victor Afanasiev observed a faint meteor and noted anomalies in its spectrum, which may suggest extra-galactic origins.
  • One participant notes the high velocity of the meteor as a potential indicator of its extra-galactic nature, suggesting that debris from outside the galaxy could indeed reach Earth.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the extra-galactic conclusion, arguing that the analysis relies heavily on velocity and that the composition of the meteor is consistent with known meteorites.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the methodology used to classify meteors as extra-galactic based solely on velocity, questioning the reliability of the findings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are competing views regarding the interpretation of the meteor's characteristics and the validity of the extra-galactic classification.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in the analysis, particularly regarding the reliance on velocity and spectral composition without definitive evidence of extra-galactic origins.

neutrino
Messages
2,091
Reaction score
2
Somehow, I find news items such as this one much more interesting to read than those about maps of dark-matter halos and things of that nature. (Not that I'm uninterested in the latter.)

On July 28, 2006, Victor Afanasiev from the Russian Academy of Sciences was making observations using a 6 meter telescope equipped with a multi-slit spectrometer. By chance, he observed the spectrum of a faint meteor as it burned up in the Earth’s atmosphere, and in looking at the data, found several anomalies.

http://www.universetoday.com/2008/01/25/researchers-observe-extra-galactic-meteor/
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Is it something you want to discuss / ask ?
 
Just posting a news item (I thought this was a bit serious for GD. :biggrin:), although a discussion would be good. It's not confirmed to be an extra-galactic meteor, and hence the '?'.
 
Might have just been moving 80kps with respect to the center of the galaxy.

I don't see why it isn't possible for an extragalactic meteor to hit us, with tons of debris floating around up there. Pretty cool stuff imo.
 
I am skeptical. The article largely bases the extra-galactic conclusion on the high velocity, but then they go on to analyze 246 meteors in 36 hours and claim 12 may have been extra-galactic based on velocity alone. That seems very improbable.

Then they bolster the extra-galactic conclusion on the spectra showing the composition of iron, magnesium, and oxygen; but that is what is found in meteorites routinely.