04.13.20. Interstellar: Visitors From Beyond

<p>In October 2017, a mysterious visitor was spotted by astronomers as it passed through our solar system. First believed to be a comet, the strange object was named 'Oumuamua, meaning 'scout' or 'first distant messenger.' Since its discovery, 'Oumuamua has continued to baffle scientists, displaying unusual acceleration and other capabilities that leave its identity and origins in question.</p> <p>This week on <em>The Micah Hanks Program</em>, after news and analysis of a recent string of UFO sightings around the Great Lakes (along with some pretty lazy reporting in that regard), we take a look back at the strange "Dancing Plague of 1518," and what modern science has to say about it. Finally, the heart of our discussion deals with the search for interstellar objects in our solar system, and whether evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence might be found in this way.</p> <p>Some have even proposed that 'Oumuamua might be an interstellar probe sent into space by some intelligent alien civilization, notably Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, who drew some criticism for his proposal. We look at the scientific search for alien life, and the history of astronomers who spotted UFOs over the last several centuries in our exploration this week on <em>The Micah Hanks Program. </em></p> <p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>Coronavirus Charities:</strong></span> If you are able, please consider supporting the following charities that are offering relief for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nokidhungry.org/coronavirus">No Kid Hungry Responds to Coronavirus</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">American Red Cross: Give Blood</span></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.feedingamerica.org/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Feeding America</span></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Meals on Wheels</span></a></li> <li><a href= "https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/contact.html"