Part 3/12:
What truly sets Oumuamua apart is its erratic behavior. Instead of decelerating as expected after swinging by the Sun, it inexplicably accelerated, prompting astronomers to consider explanations outside customary gravitational influences. Characterized by a highly elongated shape—likely between 100 and 1,000 meters and resembling a cigar or disc—Oumuamua displayed brightness fluctuations every seven hours, suggesting it was spinning.