Discovery of the first quasi-moon opens new horizons for astronomical research
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has confirmed the new name of the first quasi-moon in the Solar System. Now she is known as «Zoozve». This unusual quasi-moon is an asteroid that orbits the Sun, parallel to existing planets.
This quasi-moon was discovered by astronomer Brian Skiff of the Lowell Observatory back in 2002. At that time, Skiff was conducting research and analyzing data on asteroids in the vicinity of the solar system. It was during these studies that Skiff discovered an asteroid that was later designated 2002BE. Although many space objects are named after mythological or literary characters, the history of «Zoozwe» is an example of mistaken identity.
Radiolab researcher and co-host and host of the Netflix show Connected Latif Nasser noticed the name Zoozve on a solar system poster he hung on his two-year-old's wall. Seeing the unfamiliar name, he decided to find out its origin and contact NASA and the poster's illustrators. The result of these contacts was the discovery of the illustrator's error in reading his own handwriting: «Zoozve = 2002VE».
Since then, Latif Nasser, in his radio show Radiolab, has been actively promoting the adoption of the name «Zoozve». Thus, the asteroid «Zoozve» became known and received official recognition as the first quasi-moon in the Solar System.
Additionally, it turned out that the members of the IAU Small Body Nomenclature working group had a sense of humor and approved of this unusual name.