ASTEROID!? The object known as 2010 AL30 has been the subject of much speculation in the media this week as it passed by Earth from 76,000 miles. There was some suggestion that 2010 NL30 may have been an old spacecraft or spent rocket booster based on the fact the object had a similar orbital period of Earth. The above short film was captured by some Italian astonomers.
At least six different US media outlets reported the story about the 'mysterious' object which measured some 10-15 meters in diameter and only discovered last Sunday:
Weird Object Zooming by Earth Wednesday is Likely an Asteroid Space.com
Mystery Object To Whizz By Earth Wednesday NPR/Associated Press
Mystery space 'asteroid' set to pass close by earth, Nasa says Daily Telegraph
Scientists anticipate asteroid near-miss MSNBC
Earth to Get Close Shave Wednesday From Newly Discovered Asteroid Wired News
However, NASA/JPL quelled some of the speculation with a press release yesterday. 2010 NL30 is unlikely to be an old spacecraft. Sigh. NASA has to spoil the romance with the facts of course. Personally I was hoping that the object would 'turn'. YOWZA! Maybe next time.
NOTE: Technically the object is still an UFO as NASA has not been able to positively identify the object as an asteroid.