Has Earth Picked Up Second Moon?

J. Hugh Pruett (astronome de l'Université d'Oregon) : Tribune de Bismarck (Dakota du North), 19 novembre 1937 s1Clark, J.: "mystery airplane, North Atlantic, 1937", Magonia Exchange, 9 août 2007

Mysterious Object Buzzing About Skies Has Astronomers Puzzled

The mysterious little dot in the sky discovered the latter part of October by Reinmuth at Heidelberg is creating considerable interest among astronomers. It seems to be one of the queerest objects that has [sic] ever been known to invade our part of the solar system. Until its real nature is learned, it is going under the name of the "Reinmuth object."

As to what it is, the latest reports seem at a loss to give definite information. Calculations based on the assumption that it is a comet fail to give correctly its position from night to night. Some think it most likely an asteroid flying through space not far from the earth's orbital position.

The most noted characteristic of the Reinmuth object is its terrific angular speed through the sky. Recent locations 24 hours apart show it moved 15 degrees westward during this period of time. This is faster than the moon's daily eastward movement against the background of fixed stars. It increased in brightness two magnitudes in three days.

One distance calculation placed it 750,000 miles from the earth. This is only about three times the moon's distance. It has been hinted that the earth may have picked up a stray body which will henceforth revolve around us as a small, second moon. Two of Jupiter's nine moons may have been acquired in this way.

A California astronomer has suggested that the Lick observatory staff use salt in the conventional way in order to catch up with this speedy little object. We hope to learn more about it soon.