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in /science 2 months ago

Earth always has more moons than you think

Earth always has more moons than you think - Featured Image

Earth always has more moons than you think

www.nationalgeographic.com - faviconnationalgeographic.com
TLDR

Astronomers have discovered a new quasi-moon, PN7, orbiting Earth, highlighting the planet's dynamic celestial neighborhood. Quasi-moons, like PN7, share Earth's orbit around the sun but do not directly orbit Earth, while mini-moons temporarily orbit Earth before breaking free. These objects, ranging from boulders to small asteroids, challenge our understanding of the solar system's order and remind us of the cosmos's constant motion. The origins of these quasi-moons and mini-moons are still uncertain, with theories suggesting they could be near-Earth asteroids, pieces of the moon, or remnants of ancient asteroids. As telescope technology advances, more of these intriguing objects are expected to be discovered, offering insights into celestial mechanics and the ever-changing nature of our solar system.

7Score: 7

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