Posted on 01/29/2021 8:13:02 AM PST by BenLurkin
Astronomers first noticed the object now known as 2020 SO last September. Orbit models quickly showed that both the low speed and trajectory of the approaching object were unusual. The models showed that Earth would capture this object – temporarily – as a new mini-moon. And that’s what happened. 2020 SO has been orbiting Earth since November 8. Following further analysis of its motion – and a very close approach of the object (just 30,000 miles, 50,000 km or 0.13 lunar-distances) on December 1 – NASA was able to confirm that the object is a relic of the early Space Age, a Centaur upper-stage rocket booster, once called America’s workhorse in space. Now 2020 SO is about to make one more close approach to Earth on February 2, 2021. It’ll pass farther away this time, but still within 0.58 lunar-distances (140,000 miles, or 220,000 km). Afterwards, in March 2021, Earth’s gravity will relinquish its hold on the object.
It’ll no longer be a mini-moon for Earth. Instead, it’ll be orbiting the sun.
You have a chance to see 2020 SO online. The Virtual Telescope Project in Rome will be showing the object online on the night of February 1.
(Excerpt) Read more at earthsky.org ...
Bookmark.
Looks like me in the high school parking lot 35 years ago. Scream in, do a donut or two, and get the heck out before the teachers can come yell at me.
Hope it does not come back to collide with the Pan-Am shuttle service to the Space Hotel. Oh, forgot, that Odyssey was 20 years ago.
That was a great graphic! Thanks.
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