Harvard Professor Analyzes Extraordinary Meteor Find
In a groundbreaking discovery, Harvard professor Avi Loeb announced that his team has analyzed materials from a meteor that originated outside of the solar system. This marks the first time in history that scientists have been able to examine an object of this scale from beyond our solar system.
The meteor in question landed in the waters off Papua, New Guinea in 2014. Loeb retrieved parts of the meteor in July, describing them as “beautiful spheres that were colored — blue, brown or gold.” A local New York newscast referred to these parts as “metallic marbles” measuring less than a millimeter in diameter.
Early analysis of the retrieved spherules shows an unprecedented composition of heavy elements. The team discovered high abundances of beryllium, lanthanum, and uranium, which they labeled as a “BeLaU” composition. This composition does not match any natural alloys found on Earth, nor does it correspond to fallout from nuclear explosions. Furthermore, the composition has not been observed in magma oceans of Earth, the moon, Mars, or any other known celestial bodies within our solar system.
Researchers believe that other elements may have evaporated during the meteor’s passage through Earth’s atmosphere. This has led them to theorize that the spherules may originate from an exoplanet with an iron core, potentially indicating the presence of a magma ocean outside our solar system.
The exact composition of the spheres is currently being studied at three separate laboratories, including one at Harvard. However, not everyone in the scientific community is on board with these findings. Steve Desch, an astrophysicist at Arizona State University, criticized Loeb’s claims, stating that they are polluting good science with sensationalism. Desch added that several of his colleagues have refused to engage in peer review of Loeb’s research.
However, Loeb remains undeterred by the skeptics and has continued his pursuit of the truth. In a response to questions regarding his claims, he challenged the adage coined by Carl Sagan that “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence,” calling it a “logical fallacy.” Loeb believes that this statement is often used as an excuse to dismiss exciting possibilities without seeking rigorous evidence.
When asked about the likelihood of encountering extraterrestrial life, Loeb expressed optimism. He believes that we will find it or that it will find us, given the vast number of stars that have existed for billions of years before our own. Loeb argues that humility and open-mindedness are crucial in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.
Loeb’s determination to seek the truth has not been without its challenges, but he remains committed to his mission. As he stated on his blog, he runs away from colleagues with preconceived notions and towards a higher intelligence in interstellar space. Whether or not the critics agree, Loeb’s discovery has undoubtedly opened up new possibilities in the search for extraterrestrial life.