Astronomers Discover Quasi-Moon Asteroid That Has Orbited Near Earth Since 1957
By
fidotron
Soft in all the wrong places. Take with a strong tea.
Summary
Astronomers have discovered a 19-meter-wide asteroid named 2025 PN7 that has been orbiting near Earth since 1957. This 'quasi-moon' doesn't actually orbit Earth but rather the Sun, with an orbit so similar to Earth's that it appears to loop around our planet from our perspective. The space rock poses no threat and will remain Earth's companion for approximately another 60 years.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledAstronomers have found a space rock that has been quietly hanging around Earth for decades: a tiny asteroid named 2025 PN7.
This so-called 'quasi-moon' isn't a true moon or a mini-moon, because it orbits the Sun rather than our planet.
But its orbit is so similar to Earth's that it will be our companion for around another 60 years.
Though the quasi-moon orbits the Sun, it occasionally looks from our vantage point like it is looping around us.
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