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Astronomers at the University of Arizona have the first direct evidence that a newly discovered object orbiting Earth, J200E3, is debris from one of the Apollo moon launches over 30 years ago. The object was discovered in orbit around Earth on Sept. 3 by amateur astronomer Bill Yeung and made news headlines as it might have been a second moon for the Earth.
Carl Hergenrother and Robert Whiteley, astronomers at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in Arizona, used the Steward Observatory 61-inch telescope near Mount Bigelow in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson for observations of J002E3. The astronomers used various filters to sample the colors, or spectra, that J002E3 reflects. "Rather than looking like a known asteroid, the colors were consistent with the spectral properties of an object covered with white Titanium oxide (TiO) paint," Hergenrother said. "The Apollo Saturn S-IVB upper stages were painted with TiO paint," he noted.
The researchers conclusion is, therefore, that J200E3 is most likely a S-IVB rocket stage from an Apollo mission, with Apollo 12 being most likely. However, "As Bill Yeung said, this is the first recorded observation of any object being captured into a geocentric orbit," Hergenrother said. "There is also a fairly good chance that J002E3 might crash into the moon at some point. Scientifically, that isn't too important, but it is interesting. "
More info: University of Arizona
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