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Say hello to our new moon
AFP ^ | Fri Mar 26, 2004

Posted on 03/29/2004 12:13:58 PM PST by 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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2002aa29; 2003aa29; 2003yn17; 2006rh120; cluithne; cruithne; minimoon; minimoons; moon; quasisatellite; quasisatellites; rh120
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To: Thinkin' Gal

A scene from my favorite classic TV show, "The Honey 2003 YN17ers."

Ralph: One of these days Alice, BANG! ZOOM! Straight to 2003 YN17!!!

81 posted on 03/30/2004 6:25:52 AM PST by presidio9 (protectionism is a false god)
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To: Bloody Sam Roberts
That's good. Kerryoid.
82 posted on 03/30/2004 7:00:13 AM PST by b4its2late (I love defenseless animals, especially in a good gravy.)
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To: Xenalyte; humblegunner; Hap; pax_et_bonum; Allegra

83 posted on 03/30/2004 8:01:31 AM PST by Bacon Man (Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick once and you suck forever.)
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To: Bacon Man
I've said it before and I'll say it again . . . the small geetar-strummin' spongmonkey looks like the Dread Boston Salty.
84 posted on 03/30/2004 8:11:00 AM PST by Xenalyte (in memory of James Edward Peck, my grandfather, who passed on 3/23/04)
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To: Bacon Man; Xenalyte
It's Reverend 2003 YN17!

Who, unfortunately for him, does not look like the Dread Boston Salty.

85 posted on 03/30/2004 8:14:06 AM PST by humblegunner
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To: Xenalyte
I've said it before and I'll say it again . . . the small geetar-strummin' spongmonkey looks like the Dread Boston Salty.

When you're right, you're right.

86 posted on 03/30/2004 8:14:34 AM PST by Bacon Man (Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick once and you suck forever.)
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To: humblegunner; Xenalyte

Who, unfortunately for him, does not look like the Dread Boston Salty.

Oh yea the rev could definately do with some bug eyes.

87 posted on 03/30/2004 8:21:21 AM PST by Bacon Man (Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick once and you suck forever.)
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To: Bacon Man


2003 YN17ing is a popular stunt in small town America.
88 posted on 03/30/2004 6:04:08 PM PST by gitmo (Thanks, Mel. I needed that.)
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To: reagan_fanatic
There is an asteroid named "zappafrank".

Gotta love it.

89 posted on 03/30/2004 6:12:40 PM PST by Central Scrutiniser (May the Good Lord take a shinin' to ya, and blow ya up real soon!)
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