A Comprehensive Network for the Discovery and Characterization of Interstellar Objects

Fuente: arXiv
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Auteurs principaux: Trivedi, Oem, Loeb, Abraham
Format: Preprint
Publié: 2026
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author Trivedi, Oem
Loeb, Abraham
author_facet Trivedi, Oem
Loeb, Abraham
contents Interstellar object (ISO) astronomy has rapidly emerged over the past decade as a new frontier in planetary astrophysics, yet current observations remain limited by short visibility windows, inference degeneracies and fragmented follow-up capabilities. We argue that these constraints are structural rather than incidental and motivate a coordinated, end-to-end observational strategy for future ISO studies. We propose the Comprehensive ISO Network (CISON) which combines dual hemisphere wide-field discovery with rapid high resolution characterization and selective escalation to interceptor missions. By coupling this architecture to the differential formulation of the Loeb Scale, ISO classification and risk assessment become predictive rather than reactive. This framework transforms ISO astronomy into a mature, scalable discipline capable of maximizing scientific return and informing planetary defense in the coming decades.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_21184
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A Comprehensive Network for the Discovery and Characterization of Interstellar Objects
Trivedi, Oem
Loeb, Abraham
Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Astrophysics of Galaxies
Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
Interstellar object (ISO) astronomy has rapidly emerged over the past decade as a new frontier in planetary astrophysics, yet current observations remain limited by short visibility windows, inference degeneracies and fragmented follow-up capabilities. We argue that these constraints are structural rather than incidental and motivate a coordinated, end-to-end observational strategy for future ISO studies. We propose the Comprehensive ISO Network (CISON) which combines dual hemisphere wide-field discovery with rapid high resolution characterization and selective escalation to interceptor missions. By coupling this architecture to the differential formulation of the Loeb Scale, ISO classification and risk assessment become predictive rather than reactive. This framework transforms ISO astronomy into a mature, scalable discipline capable of maximizing scientific return and informing planetary defense in the coming decades.
title A Comprehensive Network for the Discovery and Characterization of Interstellar Objects
topic Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Astrophysics of Galaxies
Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.21184