Understand instantly
  • The Curious Case of Zoozve
  • The Cosmic Google Search Gone Awry
  • Decoding the Cosmic Alphabet Soup
  • The Story of a Celestial Oddity
  • A Quasi-Moon's Journey Through Time and Space
References
Venus captured by NASA’s Parker Solar Probe
Venus captured by NASA’s Parker Solar Probe / Photo by NASA

The Curious Case of Zoozve

In a tale that's part cosmic mystery, part parental investigation, the discovery of "Zoozve" began with a 2-year-old's innocent curiosity about the cosmos. Radiolab host Latif Nasser stumbled upon this interesting moon while perusing his toddler's astronomy poster, setting off a whimsical journey into the depths of space.

The Cosmic Google Search Gone Awry

Nasser's quest for knowledge led him down the digital rabbit hole, where he encountered the confounding revelation that Venus had a moon named "Zoozve." However, further investigation revealed NASA's official stance: Venus, in fact, had no moons. Cue the cosmic confusion!

Decoding the Cosmic Alphabet Soup

As the mystery deepened, Nasser's friend at NASA and a determined illustrator unveiled the truth behind "Zoozve." Enter 2002 VE 68, a celestial object masquerading as a quasi-moon with a name straight out of a children's book. The cosmic alphabet soup revealed the peculiar naming conventions of celestial discoveries, adding a dash of whimsy to the cosmic narrative. [1]

The Story of a Celestial Oddity

Beyond its quirky name, 2002 VE 68 unveils itself as a cosmic oddity, the Solar System's first quasi-moon. With an orbit synchronized with Venus akin to synchronized divers at the Olympics, this celestial wanderer dances through space, capturing the imagination of astronomers and preschoolers alike.

A Quasi-Moon's Journey Through Time and Space

As astronomers peel back the layers of 2002 VE 68's orbit, they uncover a tale of cosmic wanderlust and celestial encounters. From near-Earth asteroid origins to its cosmic tango with Venus and Earth, the quasi-moon's journey through time and space reads like a captivating book with Earthly twists and turns.