DOUBTER SPACE Astronomers baffled by mysterious ’empty trash bag’ object performing strange orbit around Earth… reaching as close as 370 miles from our planet
ASTRONOMERS are baffled by a mysterious piece of space rubbish orbiting the Earth in an unusual way.
The piece of debris, spotted as close as 370 miles from the Earth’s surface, is thought to be what is known as an “empty trash bag object”.
It is believed to be a remnant from a rocket launch – but experts can’t figure out which spaceship it came from.
Empty Trash Bag Objects – also known as ETBOs – often orbit in erratic ways given their size and shape.
They can stretch several metres across, but tend to be incredibly light – with this object weighing less than a kilo.
Scientists say that although they cannot be sure what the object is, it is likely just a piece light material like metallic foil left over from a space mission.