<p>Assuming that this is a serious question... yes, Oumuamua will be tumbling, just like every other small body. </p>

<p>That it comes from outside the Solar System does not change that it will have three axes of rotation because it is small and thus has not accreted enough matter that it would stabilise into a single primary axis. (This doesn't preclude one of its axes being a primary spin axis.) </p>

<p>And just like every other small body, if we collect enough data in the form of reflected sunlight from its surface, we can construct shape and rotation models and estimate its size and composition.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-21T00:38:37.210Z
2017-12-21T00:38:37.210Z
Mick
<p>given that everyone wonders whether there is a chance that there is something to oumuamua that is not natural, what about tumbling (and/or aiming?)?</p>

<p>is there a natural gravitational or other force that would naturally stabilize non-orbiting asteroids in space?</p>

<p>I would guess that there is a chance that we could detect tumbling. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-21T02:53:49.547Z
If you'd googled "Is Oumuamua tumbling?" you'd have gotten a few articles which say that it is.    tumbling is just rotating but it describes an oddly shaped or elongated object rotating partially over it's longer axis.   Everything rotates.  That it's tumbling isn't weird.   It's shape is weird, but not it's tumble.   We should also keep in mind, we didn't get a very good look at it.  (unfortunately).
userLTK
<oumuamua>
Is Oumuamua tumbling?
ivo Welch
# Is Oumuamua tumbling?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-12-21)

given that everyone wonders whether there is a chance that there is something to oumuamua that is not natural, what about tumbling (and/or aiming?)?

is there a natural gravitational or other force that would naturally stabilize non-orbiting asteroids in space?

I would guess that there is a chance that we could detect tumbling.

**Tags:** oumuamua
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: If you'd googled "Is Oumuamua tumbling?" you'd have gotten a few articles which say that it is.    tumbling is just rotating but it describes an oddly shaped or elongated object rotating partially over it's longer axis.   Everything rotates.  That it's tumbling isn't weird.   It's shape is weird, but not it's tumble.   We should also keep in mind, we didn't get a very good look at it.  (unfortunately).  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-12-21. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

Assuming that this is a serious question... yes, Oumuamua will be tumbling, just like every other small body.

That it comes from outside the Solar System does not change that it will have three axes of rotation because it is small and thus has not accreted enough matter that it would stabilise into a single primary axis. (This doesn't preclude one of its axes being a primary spin axis.)

And just like every other small body, if we collect enough data in the form of reflected sunlight from its surface, we can construct shape and rotation models and estimate its size and composition.


---

