Earth has a new 'MOON', scientists reveal - and it's here to stay for at least 1,500 years

Daily Mail ^ | 5/29/23 | Jonathan Chadwick

[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.'

[Libloather]

Just when I got used to the usual one.

[crusty old prospector]

Astronomers finding new ways to spend grant money.

[piasa]

If it is gravitationally bound to the sun, then how come it circles the earth?

[Morgana]

say what?

[SuperLuminal]

Did they determine which types of cheese these two quasi-moons are made from?

[piasa]

Never mind, the diagram on the webpage clarified the confusing language in the article. The things actually orbit the Sun.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Libloather.

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The rest of the Cruithne keyword, sorted:

• Earth's other moons [11/27/2022]
• Earth's other 'moon' and its crazy orbit could reveal mysteries of the solar system [02/26/2015]
• Asteroid may have killed dinosaurs quicker than scientists thought [02/10/2013]
• Mystery Mini Moons: How Many Does Earth Have? [02/10/2013]
• Earth Must Have Another Moon, Say Astronomers [12/22/2011]
• Asteroid 2005 YU55 to Approach Earth on November 8, 2011.. [03/25/2011]
• In the shadow of the Moon [08/31/2004]
• Probe To 'Look Inside' Asteroids [07/28/2004]
• Say hello to our new moon [03/29/2004]
• Reworked images reveal hot Venus [01/14/2004]
• Odd Asteroid [04/15/2003]
• Cat-And-Mouse Asteroid Pulls Close To Earth [01/04/2003]
• Earth's Little Brother Found [10/21/2002]
• There and Back Again: Apollo 12 part spotted? [09/12/2002]

[mass55th]

"Earth has a new 'MOON', scientists reveal - and it's here to stay for at least 1,500 years"

I thought the earth only had like 10 more years, if that. That new moon is going to be lonely.

[dfwgator]

New Moon On Monday!

[Fai Mao]

I can think of several scientist I’d like to moon.

[teacherwoes]

Waiting for someone to show why the quasi-moon is a factor in global warming.

[njslim]

If it is gravitationally bound to the sun, then how come it circles the earth?

It doesnt circle the earth - its in a heliocentric orbit and trails just behind the earth held in position by the earth gravity

[SunkenCiv]

https://search.brave.com/search?q=469219+Kamo%CA%BBoalewa

https://www.google.com/search?q=469219+Kamo%CA%BBoalewa

[Tijeras_Slim]

We have cookies.

[mass55th]

"New Moon On Monday!"

Is Biden dropping his trousers again?

[Reno89519]

I think they are stretching it to call this a moon. It long into the article to share that it is only 30-50 in diameter! And since it is not in orbit around the Earth, how can they claim this small rock is a moon anyway?

[V K Lee]

Like our ‘permitted new and improved light bulbs’,
it just doesn’t give the light to which we are
accustomed. “Moonlight becomes you” = given an entirely
new meaning.

[Flavious_Maximus]

Would be a shame is someone gave it a nudge so it crash lands on DC. /spit

[Vaduz]

Wolf man loses more sleep.

[goodnesswins]

You guys are hilarious...needed the laughs