Newly discovered asteroid turns out to be Tesla Roadster launched into space

Astronomers recently mistook a Tesla Roadster, launched into space in 2018, for a newly discovered asteroid. The Roadster, which was sent into orbit during the inaugural flight of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, was initially registered as an asteroid by astronomers. However, the registry of this "asteroid" was quickly deleted after further analysis revealed that it was, in fact, the electric vehicle launched into space as part of Elon Musk's publicity stunt. The Roadster, with a mannequin named "Starman" behind the wheel, has been orbiting the Sun since its launch in 2018 and is currently far beyond the orbit of Mars. This incident highlights the challenges astronomers face in accurately identifying and tracking objects in the vast expanse of space, particularly when human-made objects like the Tesla Roadster are involved. The mix-up serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough verification and the ongoing efforts to understand and monitor the ever-changing celestial landscape.