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In September, astronomers had speculated on asteroid 2020 SO even after it was first spotted approaching our planet. As the mysterious space object becomes visible again, this time astronomers have another chance to identify it.
Initially classified as a relatively small asteroid, further observations have since cast doubt on this classification. This is because 2020 SO appeared to be too slow a space rock and was approaching Earth with an unusual trajectory compared to the usual asteroids passing by our planet. This is to the extent that 2020 SO ended up stuck in our planet’s orbit. However, astronomers can expect a closer look at this object when it passes close to Earth on Tuesday, December 1.
When the object captured Earth’s gravitational pull earlier this month, astronomers have since proposed that it could be a wandering part of a 1960s rocket. NASA theorized it could have come from the agency’s 1966 Surveyor 2 mission. The mission was a failed attempt by NASA to send instruments to the moon, prior to the historic Apollo 11 mission.
“One of the possible paths for 2020 SO brought the object very close to Earth and the Moon in late September 1966,” said Paul Chodas of NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies. “It was like a eureka moment when a quick check of the launch dates for the lunar missions showed a match to the Surveyor 2 mission.”
Following the 2020 SO approach to Earth next week, the space object is expected to enter a new orbit of the Sun in March 2021. As it approaches Earth, however, 2020 SO will approach at a distance of 50,000 kilometers from Earth.
But before 2020 SO approaches our planet, an asteroid named 2020 CW4 will approach this weekend on Saturday, November 28. When it gets closer to Earth, 2020 CW4 will approach 429,846 miles away, which is a little more than the distance. between our planet and the Moon. WC4 is currently traveling through space at a speed of 5.2 kilometers per second or about 19,000 kilometers per hour.
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