Swiss Amateur Astronomer Makes Groundbreaking Asteroid Discovery

Amateur astronomer at Schafmatt Observatory discovers rare asteroid moon, marking significant contribution to space science.

Amateur astronomer Josef Käser discovered a moon orbiting asteroid (108968) 2001 PE40.
The discovery was confirmed by astronomers in Eberfing, Germany.
The asteroid occulted a star for 1.1 seconds, followed by a second brief occultation 1.5 seconds later.
Josef Käser has been an amateur astronomer for 50 years.

12.6 x 6.8 km

Asteroid dimensions

2.9 x 1.83 km

Moon dimensions

23.9 km

Orbital distance

400 million years

Travel time

"It suddenly became clear to me that I had discovered something truly special."
— Josef Käser

"In football terms, this discovery is comparable to winning the Swiss championship, but not to winning the Champions League."
— Marc Eichenberger

Unveiling the Invisible: A Midnight Discovery

Amateur astronomer Josef Käser discovered a moon orbiting asteroid (108968) 2001 PE40.
The discovery was confirmed by astronomers in Eberfing, Germany.
The asteroid occulted a star for 1.1 seconds, followed by a second brief occultation 1.5 seconds later.
Josef Käser has been an amateur astronomer for 50 years.