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When Oumuamua traversed our Solar System in 2017 it was the first confirmed Interstellar Object (ISO) to do so. Then in 2019, Comet 2l/Borisov did the same thing. These are the only two confirmed ISOs to visit our Solar System. Many more ISOs must have visited in our Solar System’s long history, and many more will visit in the future. There are obviously more of these objects out there, and the upcoming Vera Rubin Observatory is expected to discover many more. It’s possible that the Sun could capture an ISO or a rogue planet in the same way that some of the planets have captured moons. It all comes down to phase space. What would happen to our mature, sedate Solar System if it suddenly gained another member? That would depend on the object’s mass and the eventual orbit that it found itself in. It’s an interesting thought experiment; while Borisov and Oumuamua were smaller objects, a more massive rogue planet joining our Solar System could generate orbital chaos. It could potentially alter the course of life on Earth, though that is highly improbable. How likely is this scenario? A new research note in Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy outlines how our Solar System could capture an ISO. It’s titled “Permanent capture into the solar system,” and the authors are Edward Belbruno from the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Yeshiva University, and James Green, formerly of NASA and now from Space Science Endeavours. Phase space is a mathematical representation that describes the state of a dynamical system like our Solar System. Phase space uses coordinates that represent both position and momentum. It’s like a multidimensional space that contains all of the possible orbital configurations around the Sun. Phase space captures the state of a dynamical system by tracking both position and momentum characteristics. Our Solar System’s phase space has capture points where an ISO can find itself gravitationally bound to the Sun. Phase space is complex and is based on Hamiltonian mechanics. Things like orbital eccentricity, semi-major axis, and orbital inclination all feed into it. Phase space is best understood as a multidimensional landscape. Our Solar System’s phase space includes two types of capture points: weak and permanent. Weak capture points are regions in space where an object can be temporarily drawn into a semi-stable orbit. These points are often where the outer edges of objects’ gravitational boundaries meet. They’re more like gravitational nudges than an orbital adoption. Permanent capture points are regions in space where an object can be permanently captured into a stable orbit. An object’s angular momentum and energy are an exact configuration that allows it to maintain an orbit. In planetary systems, these permanent capture points are stable orbital configurations that persist for extremely long periods of time. Our Solar System’s phase space is extremely complex and involves many moving bodies and their changing coordinates. Subtle changes in phase space coordinates can allow objects to transition between permanent capture states and weak capture states. By the same token, subtle differences in ISOs or rogue planets can lead them into these points. In their research note, the authors describe the permanent capture of an ISO this way: “The permanent capture of a small body, P, about the Sun, S, from interstellar space occurs when P can never escape back into interstellar space and remains captured within the Solar System for all future time, moving without collision with the Sun.” Purists will note that nothing can be the same for all future time, but the point stands. Other researchers have delved into this scenario, but this work goes a step further. “In addition to being permanently captured, P is also weakly captured,” they write. It revolves around the notoriously difficult to solve three-body problem. Also unlike previous research, which uses Jupiter as the third body, this work uses the galaxy’s tidal force as the third body, along with the P and S. “This tidal force has an appreciable effect on the structure of the phase space for the velocity range and distance from the Sun we are considering,” they explain in their paper. The paper focuses on the theoretical nature of phase space and ISO capture. It studies “the dynamical and topological properties of a special type of permanent capture, called permanent weak capture which occurs for infinite time.” An object in permanent weak capture will never escape, but will never reach a consistent stable orbit. It asymptotically approaches the capture set without colliding with the star. There’s not much debate that rogue planets exist likely in large numbers. Stars form in groups that eventually disperse over a wider area. Since stars host planets, some of these planets will be dispersed through gravitational interactions prior to co-natal stars gaining some separation from one another. “The final architecture of any solar system will be shaped by planet-planet scattering in addition to the stellar flybys of the adjacent forming star systems since close encounters can pull planets and small bodies out of the system creating what are called rogue planets,” the authors explain. “When taken together, planet ejection from early planet-planet scattering and stellar encounters and in the subsequent evolution of a multi-planet solar system should be common and supports the evidence for a very large number of rogue planets that are free floating in interstellar space that perhaps exceed the number of stars,” the authors write, noting that that assertion is controversial. So what does this all add up to? The researchers developed a capture cross-section for the Solar System’s phase space then calculated how many rogue planets are in our Solar System’s vicinity. In our solar neighbourhood, which extends to a radius of six parsecs around the Sun, there are 131 stars and brown dwarfs. Astronomers know that at least several of them host planets, and all of them may very well host planets we haven’t detected yet. Every million years, about two of our stellar neighbours come within a few light years of Earth. “However, six stars are expected to closely pass by in the next 50,000 years,” the authors write. The Oort Cloud’s outer boundary is about 1.5 light years away, so some of these stellar encounters could easily dislodge objects from the cloud and send them toward the inner Solar System. This has already happened many times, as the cloud is likely the source of long-period comets. The familiar Solar System with its 8 planets occupies a tiny space inside a large spherical shell containing trillions of comets – the Oort Cloud. Gravitational perturbations dislodge comets from the cloud, sending some of them into the inner Solar System. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons The researchers identified openings in the Solar System’s phase space that could allow some of these objects, or ISOs or rogue planets, to reach permanent weak capture. They’re openings in the Sun’s Hill sphere, a region where the Sun’s gravity is the dominant gravitational force for capturing satellites. These openings are 3.81 light years away from the Sun in the direction of the galactic center or opposite to it. “Permanent weak capture of interstellar objects into the Solar System is possible through these openings,” the authors state. “They would move chaotically within the Hill’s sphere to permanent capture about the Sun taking an arbitrarily long time by infinitely many cycles.” These objects would never collide with the Sun and could be captured permanently. “A rogue planet could perturb the orbits of the planets that may be possible to detect,” they conclude. We’re still in the early days of understanding ISOs and rogue planets. We know they’re out there, but we don’t know how many or where they are. The Vera Rubin Observatory might open our eyes to this population of objects. It may even show how they cluster in some regions and avoid others. According to this work, if they’re close to any of the openings in the Sun’s Hill sphere, we could have a visitor that decides to stay. The post Here’s How Interstellar Objects and Rogue Planets Can be Trapped in the Solar System appeared first on Universe Today.

All my homies hate... Zach Bryan? It's that time of year where we are counting down the days to Christmas, which unfortunately also means that a lot of people are giving the "gift" of letting everyone see their Spotify Wrapped. You know, that thing where someone posts a screenshot showing what artists and songs they've listened to the most for the year? If you don't recall what that typically looks like, here's what our Whiskey Riff Spotify Wrapped looked like this year: https://twitter.com/WhiskeyRiff/status/1864335191684141372 The better Zach in my opinion... I SLEEP LIKE A BABY. Anyways, with everything that happened over the past couple of months with the high profile breakup of country music star Zach Bryan and Barstool personality Brianna Chickenfry, it seems as though social media has turned on the "Revival" singer. With the allegations of emotional abuse directed at Bryan, some fans are trying to distance themselves from the artist. However, Spotify Wrapped took into account the entire year, and obviously didn't change or modify that music-listening statistics based on the recent, concerning news associated with Zach Bryan. So now that the country singer is popping up on a lot of people's "My Top Songs" and "My Top Artists" lists, they are either apologizing for his presence, or others on social media are calling them out for it. It's quite the ugly scene: Alright ladies time to see your Zach Bryan riddled Spotify wrapped pic.twitter.com/voOI4dPcrF — Struck (@cstruckk) December 4, 2024 ending this year with Zach Bryan as my Spotify number one artist pic.twitter.com/yrupzLnOfj — Samantha Bush (@stillonzoloft) December 4, 2024 Zach Bryan being everyone’s top artist on Spotify Wrapped is kinda like dating the toxic quarterback in high school, felt right in the moment, but now you’re wondering what it says about you. — Gabriel Shriver (@gabrielmshriver) December 4, 2024 Good morning. Today the worst person you know will post their Spotify Wrapped with Zach Bryan as their top artist and a caption of “Plz don’t cancel me ???”. Welcome to hell. — Mr. Peanut Butter Cup (@juicedcream) December 4, 2024 I was marked safe from zach bryan being on my spotify wrapped #blessedneverstressed — kate (@keta180) December 4, 2024 The worst person you know has Zach Bryan as their top artist on their Spotify Wrapped — Luke Evangelist (@lukeevangelist_) December 4, 2024 Thoughts and prayers to the girls who can’t post their Spotify wrapped this year cause Zach Bryan is all over it https://t.co/lm3AinoEeN — Dp (@yaboy_dyldo) December 4, 2024 Yeah, that seems to be one path forward, right? Just not post your Spotify Wrapped (or Apple Music Replay, don't want to discriminate) if you don't want to appear adjacent to Zach Bryan for the time being? The only issue is that some social media fiends would rather face potential backlash than not sharing their Spotify stats. Gonna be some important decisions made when it comes to posting your Wrapped this year.

The year-end lists have begun. As we reflect on the music released each year, I am always amazed at the emerging talent, the duets formed, and the covers laid down. While I know we have said this before, 2024 was a truly remarkable year for country music. We had terrific artists like Zach Top, the Red Clay Strays, and more break the Nashville mold, earning CMA Award nominations. Sturgill Simpson returned triumphantly to the limelight as Johnny Blue Skies and the badass women of country, like Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, and Ashley McBryde, continued to dominate. Because of the phenomenal year of music, we will have many lists commemorating some of the great work throughout the year before we unveil the Whiskey Riff Top Albums of 2024 list. One of my favorite things to look back on over the years is the collaborations that took place. Some fans might have had their dreams come true when their two favorite artists finally joined forces on a song or be pleasantly surprised when two unexpected voices came together to create a fantastic tune. Without further ado, let's dive into some of our favorite collaborations released this year. The Mavericks featuring Sierra Ferrell: "Moon & Stars" The Latin and Western swing-inspired track was an unlikely pairing that came out of 2024, but WOW, it works. Sierra Ferrell's extraordinary vocal range is highlighted and perfectly complimented by the smooth vocals of The Mavericks' frontman Raul Malo.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwY40-pinT4 Zach Bryan featuring Noeline Hofmann: "Purple Gas" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY5WIkzwITw&pp=ygUKcHJ1cGxlIGdhcw%3D%3D Evan Honer featuring Charles Wesley Godwin: "Mr. Meyers" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO8xT1j8Ajc&pp=ygUgQ2hhcmxlcyBXZXNsZXkgR29kd2luIGV2YW4gaG9uZXI%3D Post Malone featuring Hank Williams Jr.: "Finer Things" Post Malone's country music debut was all the rage this year. Whether F-1 Trillion was your cup of tea or not, you must give Post Malone props for the star-studded list of collaborators featured on the record. While so many tracks could have made this list, the duet I have found myself going back to repeatedly since the release is "Finer Things" featuring Hank Williams Jr. The rugged deer blind meets diamonds and fancy things anthem makes you want to run through a wall. These lyrics sum up the feeling that many of us who enjoy the outdoors and fancy wine or cars feel. We've got a thing for the finer things. "I got a thing for the finer things I'm in that deer blind with a diamond ring My Lambo and my ammo's all camo green Yeah, I got an F-1 Trillion limousine I got a ten-point blonde in the shotgun seat I got a thing, got a thing for the finer things Yeah, I do..." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piiG1j_ga0U&pp=ygURaGFuayBmaW5lciB0aGluZ3M%3D Lainey Wilson featuring Miranda Lambert: "Good Horses" https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=1PLBxdyO3qo&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whiskeyriff.com%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE Ernest Featuring Lainey Wilson: "Would If I Could" While this might be a cover, Lainey Wilson and Ernest laid down country heartbreak gold with their take on "Would If I Could." Originally written in 1996 by two of the all-time great country music songwriters, Dean Dillon and Skip Ewing, the melody of this track has stood the test of time, sounding just as good nearly 30 years later as when it was first written. If sad country songs make you happy, this track should also be on your year-end list. "I would if I could But I can't, so I won't, but I want to I'd love to say, "Yes, " but it's best if I don't, though, I'd like to I love you enough that I'm lettin' you go I love you so much that I'm tellin' you, "No" I would if I could, but I can't, so I won't, but I want to" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TJ2kdE_6Dw&pp=ygUQd291bGQgaWYgaSBjb3VsZA%3D%3D Matt Koziol Featuring Isaac Gibson: "Old Fashioned" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mbWSGSQBVY George Strait featuring Chris Stapleton: "Honky Tonk Hall Of Fame" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UubivuLNB9c&pp=ygUWY2hyaXMgc3RhcGxldG9uIHN0cmFpdA%3D%3D Riley Green featuring Ella Langley: "Don't Mind If I Do" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1CUG_hCXgA Kameron Marlow featuring Marcus King: "High Hopes"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yD08l17gwA&pp=ygUSaGlnaCBob3BlcyBtYXJsb3dl Benjamin Tod and Jesse Daniel: "Turn The Devil Away" A recent release from Tod and Daniel, two authentic honky tonk songwriters. This collaboration was a match made in heaven. Benjamin Tod and Jesse Daniel are raw and gritty with their songwriting, spinning their stories of hardship into their lyrics, and when you put the two of them into a room... it's pure gold. Tod and Daniel had nothing but kind words to say about each other when making this song, and their similar lens on life led to the cautious tale "Turn The Devil Away." “I had never formally co-wrote and laid down a song with someone before this, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Jesse Daniel and I had a flawless experience. Jesse and I are cut from the same cloth of the old world punk scene with the scares and kicked habits to prove it. We understand things about ourselves and about the world that no one else can because we had to escape our personal hells around the same time and culture in American society. All that to say, there are no two other writers on the planet that COULD have written this song much less in their spare time both in the middle of major tours. I am proud to call Jesse Daniel a brother and I look forward to many more songs together on the horizon.”  These guys are the real deal; if you are unfamiliar with this duet, it's time to study up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-TcPobonvw&pp=ygUQamVzc2UgZGFuaWVsIHRvZA%3D%3D Cody Johnson featuring Carrie Underwood: "I'm Gonna Love You" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy9PuYMU29g&pp=ygUVY2FycmllIHVuZGVyd29vZCBjb2R5 Silverada featuring Rob Leines: "The Road" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwrs44M9Ruo 49 Winchester featuring Maggie Antone: "Leavin' This Holler" The title track from their record, Leavin' This Holler, 49 Winchester, teamed up with fellow Virginian Maggie Antone. This song easily stands out from the tracklist, as Antone's impressive vocals are fully displayed. Antone's vocals flawlessly compliment Isaac Gibson's on the track, creating a powerful dynamic sound. “I’m leaving this holler, leaving the heartache And I’m leaving the way things used to be I will not be returning, my spirit is still yearnin’ For a chance at being happy, Lord, and free” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6bMD4o6qEY&pp=ygUUNDkgd2luY2hlc3RlciBtYWdnaWU%3D Ella Langley featuring Riley Green: "You Look Like You Love Me" Hands down, Riley Green and Ella Langley were THE country duo of the year. With this being their second song on the list, they have something special together. "You Look Like You Love Me" was a viral success, and the song won Ella Langley and Riley Green their first CMA Award for Musical Event of the Year. Riley Green and Ella Langley dominated the duet field this year, and I hope we see more from them in 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm2TSMerGPQ

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