With all the rest of 2020, you may have missed the story about the mysterious flying object that fell into Earth orbit September 2020. Unsure of exactly what it was, it was called “SO 2020” and was considered a “mini-moon,” a term used to describe temporary satellites.
In December, NASA researchers determined that it was actually a human-made space piece: the remnants of a rocket impulse from the 1960s used in American Surveyor lunar missions. Although this had been one of the possible explanations for the mini-moon since it was seen in September, it was not until it approached Earth on December 1. that astronomers were able to confirm his identity.
But if you missed the rocket’s appearance in December, you’re in luck: the last lap of the farewell victory will return in the afternoon. Here’s how to do it.
How to see the final orbit of the mini-moon / rocket
Today, the space debris of the mini-moon / 1960s will be 140,000 miles from Earth, or 58% of the distance between the Earth and the Moon, according to EarthSky. And, although this is not close enough to see it with the naked eye, we do have the opportunity to get your last visit thanks to Virtual Telescope Project in Rome.
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The following explains the Italian astronomer and astronomer Gianluca Masi, founder of the Virtual Telescope Project, who describes today’s event:
After its extremely close flight last December, 2020 SO is safely approaching again, this time to say goodbye. As we know, it is the reinforcement of the Surveyor 2 space mission, which was temporarily captured by our planet. Soon, this artificial mini-moon will leave our neighborhood and escape to a new orbit around the Sun. We will say goodbye, live: join us from the comfort of your home!
To see the final pass of the mini-moon, tune in to the Virtual Telescope Project’s live feed here. According to Masi, it will be more visible on the group’s robotic telescopes in central Italy from 17.00 hours ET.
What about the mini-moon after that?
Although the rocket will not be visible after today, it will slowly move away, finally leaving Earth’s orbit in March 2021. After that, it will begin to orbit the sun. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.