A new quasi-moon of the Earth has been detected, say astronomers

(Tony Dunn/Twitter https://bit.ly/43juRfI)

Astronomers have discovered a new potential temporary satellite of the Earth: the asteroid 2023 FW13.

The orbit of the asteroid is in a stable 1:1 resonance with the Earth, but it is not entirely clear whether the body revolves around the Earth or around the Sun.

2023 FW13 was discovered on March 28, 2023 by the PanSTARRS observatory in Hawaii, and the discovery was subsequently confirmed by other ground-based telescopes.

Estimates of its size, based on albedo, are between 10 and 20 meters in diameter.

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QUASI-SATELLITE
The idea that 2023 FW13 could be a temporary satellite (quasi-satellite) of the Earth was put forward by astronomer Adrien Coffinet, who conducted the first simulations of its orbit.

Further calculations showed that this could be true - 2023 FW13 is in an eccentric orbit and in a 1:1 orbital resonance with the Earth.

It is assumed that it became a quasi-satellite from 100 BC and will remain so until 3700 AD.

This is the record for the longest stay of asteroids as temporary satellites of the Earth.

However, astronomer Alan Harris believes that 2023 FW13, although it is in orbital resonance with the Earth, actually revolves around the Sun, and not around the Earth.

Future calculations and observations will help refine its orbital characteristics.

Sources:

• Sky & Telescope website: https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/does-earth-have-new-quasi-moon/?utm_source=cc&utm_medium=newsletter
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/tony873004/status/1643213393611071493?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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