Unraveling the Mystery of Hyperbolic Trajectories

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The discussion centers on the existence of true hyperbolic trajectories and the absence of material from other star systems. It highlights that if hyperbolic trajectories are real, they would represent one-time passes rather than orbits, raising questions about the lack of observed interstellar material. Historical observations by Oort indicate that long-period comets typically originate from the Kuiper Belt or Oort Cloud, not interstellar space. The conversation also speculates on the potential existence of an Oort Cloud around Alpha Centauri and the distinguishing characteristics of its material compared to the Solar System's Oort Cloud. The discussion concludes with a calculation of the threshold velocity required for a hyperbolic trajectory from Alpha Centauri to reach the Solar System.
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If true hyperbolic trajectories really exist, then why has there not been any material discovered as originating from another star system?

 
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lack of close-up study of long-period comets
 
A possibility, however, the probability is very high that objects making solar drive-by's in hyberbolic orbits originate in the Kuiper Belt or Oort Cloud. Around 1950, Oort noticed that no comet had been observed with an orbit suggesting it had came from interstellar space. He also noticed a strong tendency for long period comet orbits to have an aphelion distance of about 50,000 AU. There is nothing particularly special about a hyperbolic orbit, it is merely a matter of velocity.
 
Orion1 said:
If true hyperbolic orbits really exist, then why has there not been any material discovered as originating from another star system?
1. If it is truly hyperbolic then it is a one-time pass, which would not actually be an "orbit".

2. Time, just time.
 
Solar Centaurus...


If true hyperbolic trajectories all originate from the 'Oort Clouds' of any given star system, and given that interstellar material from another star system must also originate from a hyberbolic trajectory from the 'Oort Cloud' of that star system, then what are the possibilites that the nearest star system, Alpha Centauri, also has an 'Oort cloud'?

What would be the distinguishing characteristics between Solar and Alpha Centauri Oort cloud material?

Threshold velocity for hyperbolic trajectory reaching Sol from Alpha Centauri:
dD = 4.124*10^{16} m - Alpha Centauri range
dt = 1.466*10^{17} s - Sol star system age
dv = \frac{dD}{dt}
dv = \frac{4.124*10^{16} m}{1.466*10^{17} s}
\boxed{dv = .281 m*s^{-1}}

What is the value for an average escaping velocity for a Solar hyperbolic trajectory?

 
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