Say hello to our new moon

AFP ^ | Fri Mar 26, 2004

[presidio9]

Earth has acquired a "quasi-moon" -- an asteroid that will encircle our planet for the next couple of years while it orbits the sun on a horseshoe-shaped path, according to a report to be published on Saturday in New Scientist.

The asteroid, 2003 YN17, "is probably a chunk of debris" from an impact between a larger space rock and the surface of the moon, the British weekly says.

2003 YN17's orbital plane is roughly the same as the earth's, but its unusual path, compounded by a corkscrew-like track, means that sometimes it is ahead of us and sometimes it is behind.

"Since 1996, its path has taken it round the earth, making it a quasi-satellite. This phase will last until 2006," the report says.

The finders are a team led by Paul Chodas, an asteroid specialist at NASA (news - web sites)'s famed Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.

Two other "quasi-moons" -- temporary fellow-travellers that loop around the earth for while as they girdle the sun -- have been spotted in recent years: Cluithne and asteroid 2002 AA29.

[Cymbaline]

Pink Floyd - Dark Side of 2003 YN17
James Bond movie - 2003 YN17 Raker
2003 YN17 Unit Zappa

[bmwcyle]

lol

[bonfire]

LOL!! Thanks for the chortle!

[skinkinthegrass]

Sorry - I've been reading Clarke's testimony today and got stuck in freakish conspiracy mode.

"..and where are my strawberries?"

[Neenah]

Don't let the stars get in your eyes

Don't let the 2003 YN17 break your heart........

[EternalVigilance]

This just might be the funniest thread I've ever seen, already!

The thing looks like its flipping us off, to me...Lord only knows what THAT Rorshach Test means...lol...

2003 YN17---sounds like a movie rating. Maybe there is a scene where someone gets to fooling around and 2003 YN17s somebody...

[reagan_fanatic]

2003 YN17 Unit Zappa

[Neenah]

Streets full of people, all alone

Rows full of houses, never home

Church full of singing, out of tune

Everyone's gone to the 2003 YN17

[Teacher317]

LOL, you've been staring at too many billboards.

[Thinkin' Gal]

Absolut Asteroid

ROTFL

This is one of the funniest threads I've seen in a long while.

You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, 2003 YN17
Dancing queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
oh yeah
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the dancing queen

You're a teaser, you turn 'em on
Leave them burning and then you're gone
Looking out for another, anyone will do
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance

[mhking]

Absolut Asteroid

And each time

It passes

We have time

To warn the masses

And even though they must

It looks like it'll never hit us...

Burma Shave.

[In_25_words_or_less]

We like the 2003 YN17.

[Xenalyte]

Say hello to our new moon

Oh, for the love of Mike, pull your pants up.

And for the record, I am interested in neither bulldogs or pressed fruit bowls, so you just keep right on walkin', Mister Man. ;)

[piasa]

Blue 2003 YN17 of Kentucky, keep on shinin'...

[SupplySider]

"..and where are my strawberries?"

Lol

[Xenalyte]

Comedy gold ping! (I like the moon.)

[appalachian_dweller]

>> Preparation H bomb <<

ROTFL!!! Good one. Thanks for the laugh!

[humblegunner]

Bark at the 2003 YN17!!!

[general_re]

Well, it's a marvelous night for a 2003 YN17 dance,
With the stars up above in your eyes,
A fantabulous night to make romance,
Beneath the cover of October skies...

Hmmm...

And if I ever lose my hands, lose my plough, lose my land,
Oh if I ever lose my hands,
Oh if I ever lose my hands, lose my plough, lose my land
I won't have to work no more.

Oh, I'm being followed by a 2003 YN17 shadow, 2003 YN17 shadow, 2003 YN17 shadow...
Leapin and a hoppin' on a 2003 YN17 shadow, 2003 YN17 shadow, 2003 YN17 shadow...