Posted on 05/29/2023 3:08:41 PM PDT by Libloather
Earth has a new moon - or at least a 'quasi-moon', a new study has revealed.
A quasi-moon is a space rock that circles the Earth, but is gravitationally bound by the sun.
This quasi-moon, called 2023 FW13, was discovered by experts using the Pan-STARRS telescope at the top of the Haleakala volcano in Hawaii, and is one of a handful of known quasi-moons.
Experts think the ancient cosmic companion has been in Earth's vicinity since 100 BC and will keep circling our planet for at least another 1,500 years, until AD 3700.
Thankfully, neither 2023 FW13 or a similar quasi-moon called 469219 Kamoʻoalewa are thought to pose any danger to people on Earth.
Quasi-moons, also known as 'quasi-satellites', often look like they are orbiting our planet much like our natural satellite the moon (affectionately known as 'Luna').
But they are given the prefix 'quasi' because they are gravitationally bound to the sun rather than Earth, rather than the other way around as is the case for Luna.
2023 FW13 is different from our moon because it orbits well outside of Earth's 'Hill sphere', the region around a planetary body where its own gravity is the dominant force attracting satellites.
Earth's Hill sphere has a radius of 932,000 miles (1.5 million km), while the radius of 2023 FW13 from Earth is quite a bit larger – around 1.6 million miles.
'The dimension of the loop – about 0.18 astronomical unit in radius – is so large that Earth plays essentially no role in its motion,' Alan Harris, senior research scientist at Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado, told Sky & Telescope.
'[2023 FW13 is] in no way associated with Earth other than by chance.'
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
“If it is gravitationally bound to the sun, then how come it circles the earth?”
Bingo. Doesn’t make a lick of sense.
Oh, it’s something in orbit. I was afraid Lizzo or Stacy Abrams dropped trou. ;-)
The article is very poorly written. Typical.
They want a moon? I got an old moon for em!
They are made of quasi cheese, known here as
Velveeta.
Well, that is quasi-interesting.
Space junk.
Moon Zappa?
Space rock, eh?
UFO was considered a “space rock” band until first guitarist Mick Bolton left and former Scorpions guitarist Michael Schenker joined. Their second album, “Flying”, was subtitled “One Hour Space Rock”.
Lemmy’s first hit single was with space rock band Hawkwind, a song called “Silver Machine”.
For anyone wondering:
Not 30-50 miles
Not 30-50 kilometers
Not 30-50 yards.
It’s only 30-50 feet in diameter, barely a space pebble. New moon...lol.
The New math! Makes you Moonstruck!
FTA: affectionately known as ‘Luna’
^^^^^
Why would the author use such a phrase. Makes no sense.
Well, at least he uses “BC” and “AD” instead of the ridiculous “BCE,” etc.
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