Earth May Have at Least 6 'Minimoons' at Any Given Time. Where Do They Come From?

Earth may have at least 6 'minimoons' at any given time. Where do they come from?

Half a dozen fragments of the moon may briefly orbit Earth at any given time, before moving on to circle the sun, new research suggests.

Earth Could Have 6 Minimoons Right Now—Are They a Sign of Something Bigger?

Astronomers have long been fascinated by the idea that Earth could harbor small, temporary satellites, known as minimoons, that briefly orbit the planet before escaping back into space. A recent article by Space.com reveals that there could be at least 6.5 minimoons orbiting Earth at any given time. These objects, often pieces of the Moon itself, represent a fascinating glimpse into the processes that shape the solar system. The concept of minim…

At Any Given Time, Earth Might Be Orbited By As Many As Six 'minimoons' - Pakistan Live News

The representational image shows moon. — Nasa/File Earth may briefly capture as many as six moon fragments — called minimoons — at any given time before they move on to orbit the sun, suggest new research. Their tiny size and fast motion, however, make them hard to observe, reported Space.com. When impacts occur on the moon, they eject debris into space. While some larger pieces may be launched, most of the fragments are small—under 6.5 feet (2 …

At Least Six ‘Minimoons’ Orbit Our Planet at Any Time

At any given time, Earth may have around six temporary satellites known as Earth minimoons, according to new research. These tiny celestial visitors, often fragments from the moon or asteroid belt, orbit our planet for short periods before continuing their journey around the sun. What Are Minimoons? A minimoon is a small object—typically less than 6.5 feet (2 meters) in diameter—that becomes briefly trapped in Earth’s orbit. To qualify, it must …