Amateur Astronomer Discovers Elon Musk’s Tesla in Space

Accidental Finding: When a Tesla Roadster Mistook for Asteroid

An amateur astronomer, nicknamed “G,” had a celestial encounter that shook the astronomical community – and ended with him stumbling upon a surprisingly terrestrial object.
What initially appeared to be a newly discovered near-Earth object (NEO) turned out to be something far more down-to-earth: Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster.

“The launch of Falcon never crossed my mind. I almost concluded that it was a real NEO and stopped searching,” explained G, “but I wondered at the Minor Planet Mailing List just to eliminate my doubts. because it was rather ashamed because it might have caused unnecessary excitement (the MOID was indeed low enough),I promptly went to the MPC assistance table and told them that the NEO that I had just sent was the rocket stage.”

G, using his trusty telescope, spotted the unidentified object moving in a way that hinted it wasn’t your average asteroid. His initial assumption, fueled by excitement and a dash of obligation to confirm his findings, led him to believe he’d made a groundbreaking discovery.

The Minor Planet Center (MPC),the international authority on celestial bodies,ultimately confirmed G’s suspicions – but not in the way he anticipated. The object’s trajectory matched that of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy upper stage, carrying its peculiar passenger: Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster, launched into orbit in February 2018.

“It has been shown that the orbit matches the objects made in 2018-017A, Falcon Heavy Upper Stage with Tesla Roadster. The title 2018 CN41 is being deleted and will be listed as not listed,” stated the MPC.

While “G” initially experienced the thrill of a potential NEO discovery, his story quickly transformed into a tale of cosmic serendipity. it highlights the incredible process of scientific discovery and the ever-evolving relationship between human exploration and the vast universe we inhabit.

The story also serves as a reminder that even in the realm of astronomy, the unexpected can occur, leading to moments of both excitement and amusement as we unravel the secrets of the cosmos.

What challenges might amateur astronomers face when attempting to differentiate between known celestial objects and potential new discoveries?

An Accidental Discovery: Interview with Amateur Astronomer “G”

Our guest today is “G”, an amateur astronomer who recently made a rather unique astronomical discovery.G, you initially reported what seemed to be a new near-Earth object, only to find it was something entirely diffrent. Tell us about that experience.

The Unexpected Find

“I was using my telescope, scanning the skies as usual. I spotted this object moving in a way that wasn’t typical for an asteroid.It sparked a sense of excitement, and I immediately went through the necessary steps to confirm my observation.

I even reached out to the Minor Planet Mailing List, but to be honest, I was getting ready to call it a realized asteroid, but something was off. When I finally confirmed with the Minor Planet Center, they told me the object’s trajectory matched that of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy upper stage with Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster onboard!”

The Revelation

That’s quite a revelation! What was your initial reaction when you learned the truth?

“Frankly, I was a mixture of disbelief and amusement. It was astonishing to think that something as mundane as a Tesla Roadster was mistaken for an asteroid! I felt a little embarrassed because I was so sure about my discovery, but ultimately, it was a fascinating experience to be part of something so unexpected.”

scientific Serendipity

This entire event is a testament to the power of cosmic serendipity and the ever-changing nature of scientific discovery.Does this experience motivate you to continue your work in astronomy?

“Absolutely! This incident has solidified my passion for astronomy.It reminds us that there’s so much we still don’t know about the universe,and every observation,whether it confirms what we expect or unveils something surprising,contributes to our understanding of the cosmos. Moreover, it shows the dedication and collaborative spirit within the scientific community. ”

Looking Ahead

What’s next for you, G?

“I’ll continue to explore the night sky, keep learning, and share my observations with the community. Who knows what other unexpected discoveries await us out there?

What do you think this discovery says about our perception of the universe and the objects within it?