Mysterious Object Washes Ashore in Western Australia
A mysterious object that washed ashore on a beach in Green Head, Australia has sparked excitement and speculation among local residents. The copper-colored cylinder, which stands taller than a human, has drawn in curious onlookers eager to catch a glimpse of the unidentified object.
Speculation about the origin of the object quickly spread online, with people posting various theories. However, the Western Australia Police Force has stated that the item is likely “space debris.” The Australian Space Agency has echoed these comments, stating that the object could be from a foreign space launch vehicle.
Initially, police were cautious and set up a cordon around the object, warning locals to keep away. However, a recent update from the police states that an analysis by the Department of Fire and Emergency Service and Chemistry Centre of Western Australia has found the object to be safe and pose no risk to the community.
Police are now working with relevant agencies to safely remove and store the object while finalizing their findings. The Australian Space Agency has urged people to avoid handling the object due to its unknown origin and to report any further discovery of suspected debris.
Space archaeologist Alice Gorman from Flinders University in Adelaide has suggested that the cylinder is likely the third phase of a polar satellite launch vehicle previously launched by India. She compared it to launch vehicles used by India since 2010, stating that it is identical in dimension and materials.
According to Gorman, space rockets are multi-stage and are made up of various compartments carrying fuel. When the propellant runs out, these compartments are dumped in a sequential order, with much of the debris falling back to Earth. The intact color and shape of the cylinder suggest that it did not reach outer space before detaching, sparing it from intense burn during re-entry.
Gorman believes that the object may have landed in the ocean about five to 10 years ago and was pushed ashore by a recent deep sea storm. While the cylinder runs on solid fuel, which only releases toxic substances under high temperature, Gorman advises local residents to err on the side of caution and avoid touching the space debris.
It remains to be seen when and how the object will be safely removed and what further information can be gathered about its origin. For now, the mysterious object continues to captivate the attention and curiosity of the local community.