Hello,
Two remarks for the further discussion under the assumption that the object is
a S IV-B rocket stage:
1. The reflectivity or albedo of the surface has changed during about 30
years in solar orbit because of "sputtering" caused primarily by the
solar wind. The surface is now darker.
2.The discrimination between a S IV-B and an asteroid may be possible if we
look for a short period magnitude change of the object. What is the final
rotational state of a rocket stage after three decades? Tumbling about all
three axis ?
As an "old" astronomer and space scientist I believe we can (at least theoreti-
cally) solve the puzzle with very precise photometric observations.
Harro
Harro.Zimmer@t-online.de
Berlin, Germany
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