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Minimoon

All articles tagged with #minimoon

science1 year ago•4 min saved

Earth's Temporary 'Minimoon' Revealed: Origins and Future Explored

A new study suggests that the temporary Earth-orbiting asteroid 2024 PT5 may have originated from the moon, possibly ejected by a collision millions of years ago. This minimoon, which has been orbiting Earth for two months, will soon leave and won't return for 30 years. Researchers found similarities between 2024 PT5 and lunar ejecta, but lack sufficient data to confirm its origin. Minimoons like 2024 PT5 are of interest for potential use in space exploration as bases for supplies and fuel.

via Livescience.com|

#asteroid #earth-orbit #lunar-origin

astronomy1 year ago•2 min saved

"February's Micromoon: The Snow Moon Rises Tonight"

The full moon on February 24, 2024, known as the "Snow Moon" or "Hunger Moon", will also be the smallest of the year, rising during dusk. Referred to as a "minimoon" or "micromoon" by NASA, it occurs a little over a day before apogee, when the Moon is farthest from the Earth in its orbit. The name "Snow Moon" originates from the 1930s when the Maine Farmers' Almanac began publishing "Indian" names for full Moons, with the northeastern US tribes calling it the Snow or Storm Moon due to heavy snows in the season, while "Hunger Moon" reflects the difficult hunting conditions caused by bad weather and heavy snowstorms.

via Mint|

#astronomy #full-moon #hunger-moon