Specifically a random angle.

"The likelihood for such a perfect alignment of the orbital angular momentum vector around the Sun for Earth and 3I/ATLAS is π(5◦/57◦)2/(4π) = 2×10−3."

Sloppy sloppy work.

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pbmonster 8 days ago | parent [-]

I also misread that. The 0.005% is in relation to this:

> In the following analysis we assume that 3I/ATLAS is on its current orbit but vary the time-of-entry into the Solar System (or equivalently the time of perihelion), assuming 3I/ATLAS could have come at any time into the Solar System, and happened to do so such that it came within the observed closest approaches of Venus, Mars and Jupiter. The probability of this is 0.005

So exact same trajectory, but analyzed over a long period of time. If it came any earlier or later, it would almost never get this close to exactly those three planets.

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TheOtherHobbes 8 days ago | parent [-]

The aliens are going to be so annoyed when they realise they missed the interesting one.

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MarkusQ 8 days ago | parent [-]

No matter how tempting the straight line, I will not make the joke.

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sebastiennight 8 days ago | parent [-]

You've written too much or too little. The Internet demands to hear it.

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MarkusQ 7 days ago | parent [-]

Oh come on, there are only 8.5±0.5-3, so 5 or 6 possibilities.

Go through the list, Mercury through Pluto, mentally saying "I find ____ interesting" and notice which one gives you an eye roll/chuckle/groan.

	▲	sebastiennight 5 days ago \| parent [-]
		After 2 years of the All-in podcast, I can't believe I still fell for it.