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Earth has captured a new mini moon

The Independent·Anthony Cuthbertson·about 22 hours ago
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A new “lilliputian” mini- moon is orbiting Earth after falling into our planet’s gravitational pull.

Asteroid 2026 QQ8 was caught in Earth’s gravity in April and has entered a looping obit around the planet.

First detected by Hungarian astronomer Kriztián Sárneczky, who is a prolific asteroid hunter, the new moon will complete one and a half revolutions before escaping in 2027.

Mr Sárneczky first observed the space rock in August but has only recently been reported by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center.

The asteroid typically orbits the Sun every 359 days, according to a reconstruction of its orbital path, and makes a close approach of Earth every 10 years or so.

The closest it will come to Earth during its brief orbit of our planet will be around 568,000 kilometres (353,000 miles), which is around 1.5 times the average distance between the Moon to Earth.

With a diameter of around 2 metres, Asteroid 2026 QQ8 poses no risk to Earth as it would likely be destroyed…

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