Essential Insights
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A team led by Vishnu Reddy used NASA’s IRTF to conduct spectroscopy observations of 2020 SO, initially believed to be an asteroid, but findings indicated it was not due to its faintness and spectral analysis.
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By comparing the spectrum of 2020 SO to that of 301 stainless steel, Reddy’s team discovered discrepancies, prompting further investigation and the need for data from an Earth-orbiting Centaur rocket booster.
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Successfully observing a Centaur D rocket booster from 1971 allowed Reddy’s team to confirm that 2020 SO’s spectrum matched, definitively identifying it as another Centaur rocket booster.
- This conclusion emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between natural and artificial objects in space, benefiting global efforts to monitor near-Earth objects and enhance planetary defense initiatives.
New Discoveries Confirm 2020 SO as Vintage Rocket Booster from the 1960s
Recent observations have confirmed that 2020 SO is not an asteroid, but rather a defunct Centaur rocket booster from the 1960s. This finding sheds light on the history of space exploration while improving our understanding of objects orbiting Earth.
Equipped with this knowledge, a team at the University of Arizona conducted extensive studies on 2020 SO, utilizing advanced instruments like NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) in Hawaii. Due to the extreme faintness of the object, the team faced challenges in data collection. “We got color observations that suggested 2020 SO was not an asteroid,” said an associate professor and planetary scientist leading the research.
To analyze 2020 SO’s composition, scientists compared its spectrum data to that of 301 stainless steel, the material used to craft Centaur rocket boosters. Initial results showed discrepancies. However, the team realized that they were comparing fresh steel with an object exposed to harsh space conditions for over five decades. This discovery propelled them to seek additional data.
They aimed to observe another Centaur booter in Earth orbit to ensure accurate comparisons. On December 1, the team achieved a remarkable feat by tracking a Centaur D rocket booster from a 1971 satellite launch. The successful observation allowed them to gather reliable spectrum data.
Upon comparison, the spectra of the two objects matched closely, confirming 2020 SO’s identity as a Centaur rocket booster. “The conclusion came from a tremendous team effort,” the lead scientist remarked. Various collaborations contributed to solving this space mystery.
2020 SO made its closest approach to Earth in December 2020. It will remain within our planet’s gravitational influence until it escapes back into solar orbit in March 2021. By distinguishing between natural and artificial objects, astronomers improve assessments of near-Earth objects, enhancing planetary defense strategies.
As nations continue to explore space, this research highlights the need for ongoing observations and technological advancement. Scientists will monitor this historical relic from the early Space Age as it travels beyond our planet. For updates on asteroid and comet news, interested readers can follow NASA’s Twitter account dedicated to this topic.
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