MSP has once again facilitated a visit for a group of school students from “Horia Hulubei” Theoretical High School, accompanied by Mr. Cătălin Popa (their geography teacher), to the ISS – Institute of Space Science (INFLPR Subsidiary).
What Did the School Students Discover?
A research institute whose history dates back to 1956. Focused on advanced studies in cosmic ray physics, astrophysics, and many other subfields that bring science into the spotlight, ISS opened its doors and welcomed the school students into the space where experiments come to life.
From how gravitational waves work and the discovery of black holes, to studies on asteroid-orbit deflection and the operation of a virtual telescope, all these topics were presented by researchers to the school students and discussed together at the end.
Of course, the tour also included a visit to research laboratories where electromagnetic waves are studied, as well as a visual demonstration of how cosmic space bends depending on the mass of celestial bodies. Accompanied by researchers, the school students also made a stop in the server room, where they attended a presentation about CERN — one of the largest particle accelerators in the world, with ISS being directly involved in various experiments and projects aimed at advancing particle physics research and CERN data processing.
Sursa foto: ISS
But perhaps the most intriguing part was the presentation on interstellar objects:
- ’Oumuamua
- Borisov
- Atlas
1. ’Oumuamua
- The first confirmed interstellar object to pass through the Solar System (discovered in 2017).
- Not an ordinary comet: it had no tail and featured an unusual, elongated shape.
- Its Hawaiian name means “messenger from afar.”
2. Borisov (2I/Borisov)
- The first confirmed interstellar comet (discovered in 2019 by amateur astronomer Gennadiy Borisov).
- Unlike ’Oumuamua, it behaves like a typical comet, with a tail and gas emissions.
3. ATLAS (C/2019 Y4 ATLAS)
- A comet from the Solar System, discovered by the ATLAS monitoring system (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System).
- Attracted attention in 2020 because it brightened dramatically, then fragmented before becoming visible to the naked eye.
About the interstellar objects discovered by the school students
Interstellar objects are celestial bodies that originate outside the Solar System and pass near — or even through — it. Unlike planets, asteroids, or comets that belong to the Sun, these objects are not gravitationally bound to it and follow hyperbolic trajectories — meaning they enter the system and then leave it permanently.
Their characteristics include:
• extremely high speeds, greater than those of objects bound to the Sun,
• open (hyperbolic) orbits indicating their external origin,
• the ability to carry information about other stellar systems: composition, formation processes, physical conditions.
Studying them can offer insights into:
• how planets form and evolve in other systems,
• the material present in various regions of our galaxy,
• the dynamics of objects ejected from young stellar systems.
The future of education is built through partnerships and collaboration
We are grateful for long-standing collaborations with partners who make education a key pillar of progress. As always, school students enjoyed a dynamic, interactive presentation filled with lesser-known curiosities from the world of astrophysics.
ISS remains a genuine support in educating the younger generation, and over time MSP has facilitated numerous visits — including earlier this year, when more than 120 school students from School No. 1 Buftea toured the laboratories of ISS and INCDFM.
Until the next educational visit, stay curious and keep your passions alive!
