Crust saves giant floating space rock

A skyscraper-sized space rock that floated into Earth’s solar system has withstood the intense heat of the sun because it is believed to be coated in a special crust.

The object, known as Oumuamua, was hotter than 300C as it passed by, but it is thought a half-metre thick coating prevented it from being vaporised.

The rock, described as cigarshaped, is likely to be the size of London’s Gherkin skyscraper, according to research involving astronomers at Queen’s University in Belfast.