Posted on 06/16/2016 10:52:20 AM PDT by smokingfrog
Astronomers have discovered a new quasi moon orbiting Earth.
2016 HO3, as the asteroid is called, is at least 40 meters across and could be larger, up to 100 meters, researchers say, but its too far from Earth to qualify as a true satellite or mini-moon.
"Since 2016 HO3 loops around our planet, but never ventures very far away as we both go around the sun, we refer to it as a quasi-satellite of Earth," said Paul Chodas, manager of NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object (NEO) Studies at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
"One other asteroid -- 2003 YN107 -- followed a similar orbital pattern for a while over 10 years ago, but it has since departed our vicinity. This new asteroid is much more locked onto us. Our calculations indicate 2016 HO3 has been a stable quasi-satellite of Earth for almost a century, and it will continue to follow this pattern as Earth's companion for centuries to come."
(Excerpt) Read more at voanews.com ...
I generally can’t make any sense out of this stuff without visualizing it; from our friends at the JPL:
If an object or craft were to enter our solar system with intention of being in proximity to Earth, would it not be more practicable to enter into this kind of “joint” orbit with Earth around the sun, rather than try to actually go into orbit around Earth.
I would think it would save a lot of fuel.
2016 HO3 needs wimmin.
I think they speak High School French up there.
It’s mine!
Which would make it a moon, right?
I read the first three lines and realized that I had written this article for Wiki during my REM stage of sleep a few years ago! Mmmmaybe not?
Hmmm ... we need to make sure DC’s evacuation plan has all the lawyers and lobbyist proceed to the center of town to await special instructions...
LOL! :)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3596968/posts
http://www.thescinewsreporter.com/2018/03/earth-has-captured-second-moon-says-nasa.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbbAnVU4rmY
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