Interstellar objects
The first identified interstellar object, 1I/2017 U1 ('Oumuamua), was confirmed in October 2017 during the outbound of its hyperbolic orbit. The nature of this object is still under debate. However, it serves as a proof-of-concept that interstellar objects can be detected within our solar system, and it accordingly provides an impetus for further predictions of upcoming discoveries by Pan-STARRS and the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST).
I am interested in the origins of interstellar interlopers and the unique window that they provide into the properties of minor planets in extrasolar systems. I am particularly interested in the implications of ‘Oumuamua and future interstellar object detections for exoplanet occurrence rates and planet formation theory.
To learn more about my work in this field, check out my research highlight here.