Episode Details

Bill Gray is an astronomer who specializes in tracking objects in space which come near the Earth. In addition to natural objects like asteroids and comets Bill also tracks rocket boosters and space junk that humans have discarded. On several occasions he has helped asteroid hunters to not waste time following a piece of space junk which initially appeared to be a threatening Earth approaching asteroid. Recently Bill used observations by very well equipped and talented amateur observers in Utah, England, China, and Mississippi to predict that the upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will hit the Moon at 5,400 mph on August 5 of 2026.