A recent study sheds light on the mysterious origins and transport of interstellar material in our Solar System. Researchers have focused on α Centauri, a mature triple star system that is expected to approach us within 28,000 years. Assuming a current ejection model for the system, scientists estimate that α Centauri’s material can reach our Solar System, with most particles arriving at low velocities.
According to the study, there may currently be 106 large particles larger than 100 meters in diameter within our Oort Cloud, which could increase by an order of magnitude during α Centauri’s closest approach. However, only a tiny fraction (1 in 10^6) of these objects is likely to be within 10 astronomical units (au) of the Sun.
The study suggests that up to 10 meteors greater than 100 micrometers from α Centauri may currently enter Earth’s atmosphere every year. This flux is highly dependent on the assumed ejected mass distribution, but it is expected to increase as α Centauri approaches our Solar System.
Source: https://astrobiology.com/2025/02/a-case-study-of-interstellar-material-delivery-alpha-centauri.html