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Earth Gets Another Quasi-Moon

Posted by samzenpus on from the old-one-was-getting-boring dept.

The Bad Astronomer writes Astronomers have found a new asteroid, 2014 OL339, that is a quasi-moon of the Earth. Discovered accidentally earlier this year, the 150-meter asteroid has an orbit that is more elliptical than Earth's, but has a period of almost exactly one year. It isn't bound to Earth like a real moon, but displays apparent motion as if it did, making it one of several known quasi-moons.

1 of 54 comments (clear)

  1. Hmmm ... by gstoddart · · Score: 5, Funny

    2014 OL339 is awkward. It sounds like it needs a proper name.

    How about Quasimoondo?

    --
    Lost at C:>. Found at C.