# Is 'Oumuamua typical of interstellar objects, or a rare kind? · 1I/'Oumuamua > Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible. Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/oumuamua/questions/QST0CSKC0MC0R58/is-oumuamua-typical-of-interstellar-objects-or-a-rare-kind Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:22+00:00 --- **0** # Is 'Oumuamua typical of interstellar objects, or a rare kind? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [Where did 'Oumuamua come from?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/oumuamua/questions/QST0CSKC04R56X5/where-did-oumuamua-come-from)·3 answers·0·0 following **Three answers, none ahead** None is ahead yet. See what would settle it. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible. ## Why it matters With three objects known, two of them ordinary comets, whether 'Oumuamua represents a common class bears on every reading that requires an unusual body⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CSKBAX23QG7/the-interstellar-interlopers)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CSKBD3C762B/discovery-and-preliminary-characterization-of-a-third). ## Answers 3 [**'Oumuamua was an unusual member of a population dominated by comets like 2I and 3I.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/oumuamua/answers/ANS0CSKCQAY6VKE/oumuamua-was-an-unusual-member-of-a-population-dominated-by) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 2 for, 1 against Still possible [**Asteroid-like, inactive interstellar objects are common, and 'Oumuamua is one of many.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/oumuamua/answers/ANS0CSKCPKG11DT/asteroid-like-inactive-interstellar-objects-are-common-and) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 2 for Still possible [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/oumuamua/answers/ANS0CSKCRA609XJ/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible ## History 1. 2020[Guzik et al.: 2I/Borisov was an ordinary active comet.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CSKBCBY5WWM/initial-characterization-of-interstellar-comet-2i-borisov)For: 'Oumuamua was an unusual member of a population dominated by comets like 2I and 3I. 1. 2023[Jewitt & Seligman puts forward: 'Oumuamua was an unusual member of a population dominated by comets like 2I and 3I.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CSKBAX23QG7/the-interstellar-interlopers) 1. 2023[Jewitt & Seligman: the detection implies a number density of about 0.1 per cubic au.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CSKBAX23QG7/the-interstellar-interlopers)For: Asteroid-like, inactive interstellar objects are common, and 'Oumuamua is one of many. 1. 2025[Hopkins et al.: 3I's age and composition make a common origin with 1I or 2I very unlikely, so three objects sample different…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CSKBFSA7080/from-a-different-star-3i-atlas-in-the-context-of-the)Against: 'Oumuamua was an unusual member of a population dominated by comets like 2I and 3I. 1. 2025[Cordiner et al.: 3I/ATLAS was an active comet rich in CO2.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CSKBDB607EW/jwst-detection-of-a-carbon-dioxide-dominated-gas-coma)For: 'Oumuamua was an unusual member of a population dominated by comets like 2I and 3I. 1. 2026[Albornoz-Montenegro & Fuentes puts forward: asteroid-like, inactive interstellar objects are common, and 'Oumuamua is one of many.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CSKB6GE0EWZ/1i-oumuamua-like-objects-size-frequency-distributions-with) 1. 2026[Albornoz-Montenegro & Fuentes: size-distribution modelling with 1I and 3I suggests asteroid-like bodies are produced more often than comets.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CSKB6GE0EWZ/1i-oumuamua-like-objects-size-frequency-distributions-with)For: Asteroid-like, inactive interstellar objects are common, and 'Oumuamua is one of many. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/oumuamua/questions/QST0CSKC0MC0R58/is-oumuamua-typical-of-interstellar-objects-or-a-rare-kind%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/oumuamua/questions/QST0CSKC0MC0R58/is-oumuamua-typical-of-interstellar-objects-or-a-rare-kind%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/oumuamua/questions/QST0CSKC0MC0R58/is-oumuamua-typical-of-interstellar-objects-or-a-rare-kind%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/oumuamua/questions/QST0CSKC0MC0R58/is-oumuamua-typical-of-interstellar-objects-or-a-rare-kind%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/oumuamua/questions/QST0CSKC0MC0R58/is-oumuamua-typical-of-interstellar-objects-or-a-rare-kind%23add-source) Where it fits 1I/'Oumuamua [**Where did 'Oumuamua come from?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/oumuamua/questions/QST0CSKC04R56X5/where-did-oumuamua-come-from)most likely ejected from another star's planetary system during planet formation, like most interstellar objects should… **Is 'Oumuamua typical of interstellar objects, or a rare kind?** You're here · 3 answers, inconclusive [ Ask a question under this one ]