The Asteroid Lost for 66 Years
In 1937, an asteroid swept past Earth, closer than any ever seen before. Astronomers lost track of it, and for 66 years no one knew where it was.
What was reported
On 28 October 1937, the German astronomer Karl Reinmuth, at Heidelberg, discovered an asteroid passing very close to Earth, at less than twice the distance of the Moon, the closest approach of an asteroid known at the time. It was named Hermes.
But it was observed for only a few days, not long enough to calculate its orbit accurately. It vanished, and for decades it was one of astronomy's famous lost objects, which could, in theory, come back without warning.
Explanations offered
In October 2003, an amateur astronomer spotted an asteroid that turned out to be Hermes, back again. Its orbit is now known well, and it poses no danger. It also turned out to be two asteroids orbiting each other. Today's surveys make such losses much rarer.
- When
- Seen in 1937; found again in 2003
- Where
- Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Witnesses
- Karl Reinmuth, then modern sky surveys
- Status
- Explained
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.
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