[omni-scientist]

The first issue I have is the description of a "retrograde orbit". Maybe it's a huge elliptical orbit, but "orbit" means it returns every so often.

It could be journalistic license, or just a lack of knowledge on the part of the writer. The astronomers should be able to tell us by the objects speed and approach whether it is an interstellar object or not. If it is interstellar the idea of a retrograde approach is meaningless.

[Campion]

It’s on a hyperbolic “orbit”. It won’t be coming back; 150,000 mph is way above the solar system’s escape velocity.

[Fai Mao]

“If it is interstellar the idea of a retrograde approach is meaningless.”

Yeah, that thing is on a trajectory not in an orbit. It should also be possible to establish where it came from