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interstellar-object

Rama is identified as a fast-moving, large object passing through the solar system on a hyperbolic trajectory, indicating it is not gravitationally bound to the sun.

1 chapter across 1 book

Rendezvous with Rama (1973)Arthur C Clarke

Preamble

The chapter 'Preamble' from 'Rendezvous with Rama' recounts the historical context and emergence of Project SPACEGUARD, a global initiative to detect and prevent catastrophic asteroid impacts on Earth. It introduces the discovery of an unusual interstellar object named Rama, highlighting its exceptional size, unique orbit, and rapid rotation, which defy typical asteroid characteristics and hint at a mysterious nature.