Harvard Astronomer Suggests “Second Moon” May Be Lost Soviet Probe
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A recently observed celestial object, temporarily orbiting Earth and dubbed the “Second Moon,” could be the remnants of the Soviet Union’s Zond 1 spacecraft launched in 1964, according to Harvard University astronomer Avi Loeb.
Lost and Found? The Zond 1 Hypothesis
The object, officially designated 2025 PN7, sparked curiosity after being captured in Earth’s orbit. Loeb proposes that 2025 PN7 isn’t a natural celestial body, but rather debris from the zond 1 mission. The Zond 1 probe experienced technical difficulties early in its mission, resulting in a loss of dialog.
Working with engineer Adam Hibberd of the Initiative for Interstellar Studies, Loeb recalculated the Zond 1 mission trajectory. Their analysis suggests the probe may have been lost near the Sun and has now been rediscovered after decades in orbit.
“space” Loeb suggests the object could be the remains of the probe’s catheter.
verifying the Claim: Spectral Analysis
To validate this intriguing hypothesis, scientists are proposing spectral measurements of 2025 PN7. Analyzing the object’s surface composition will help determine whether it is indeed a natural meteorite or, indeed, a piece of human-made spacecraft.
Precedent for Rediscovered Space Debris
This isn’t the frist time a similar claim has been made and afterward confirmed. In 2020, astronomers identified object 2020 SO as a likely component of NASA’s Surveyor 2 Moon mission from 1966. Further investigation ultimately verified this identification, demonstrating the possibility of rediscovering lost space hardware.