A small chunk of moon seems to be tracking the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, as per astronomers. &nbsp;

Although relatively little known till now, the asteroid, which is named Kamo`oalewa, was discovered in 2016. &nbsp;

According to the new observations, it could be a fragment from the moon, which was thrown into space by a collision several years ago. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oxygen-on-moons-surface-may-keep-billions-alive-for-100000-years-428560" hreflang="en">Oxygen on Moon's surface may keep billions alive for 100,000 years &nbsp;</a>

One of Earth’s quasi-satellites, Kamo`oalewa belongs to a category of asteroid that orbits the Sun. It also remains relatively close to the planet, 9m miles away in this case. &nbsp;

It has the size of a ferris wheel. It is also about 4m times fainter than the faintest star, which can be seen with the naked eye. &nbsp;&nbsp;

So, to make its clear observations, powerful telescopes are needed. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-find-water-in-a-galaxy-128-billion-light-years-away-426992" hreflang="en">Scientists find water in a galaxy 12.8 billion light-years away</a>

Astronomers have found that the spectrum of reflected light from Kamo`oalewa gets closely matched with lunar rocks from Apollo missions of NASA. It suggests that it originated from the moon. The astronomers were able to identify it with the help of large binocular telescope on Mount Graham in southern Arizona. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The findings of the study were published in the ‘Nature Communications Earth and Environment’ journal. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A small chunk of moon seems to be tracking the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, as per astronomers. Although relatively little known till now, the asteroid, which is named Kamo`oalewa, was discovered in 2016.

A small chunk of moon seems to be tracking the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, as per astronomers. Although relatively little known till now, the asteroid, which is named Kamo`oalewa, was discovered in 2016. According to the new observations, it could be a fragment from the moon, which was thrown into space by a collision several years ago. Also Read: Oxygen on Moon's surface may keep billions alive for 100,000 years One of Earth’s quasi-satellites, Kamo`oalewa belongs to a category of asteroid that orbits the Sun. It also remains relatively close to the planet, 9m miles away in this case. It has the size of a ferris wheel. It is also about 4m times fainter than the faintest star, which can be seen with the naked eye. So, to make its clear observations, powerful telescopes are needed. Also Read: Scientists find water in a galaxy 12.8 billion light-years away Astronomers have found that the spectrum of reflected light from Kamo`oalewa gets closely matched with lunar rocks from Apollo missions of NASA. It suggests that it originated from the moon. The astronomers were able to identify it with the help of large binocular telescope on Mount Graham in southern Arizona. The findings of the study were published in the ‘Nature Communications Earth and Environment’ journal. (With inputs from agencies)

Astronomers identify moon’s small chunk tracking Earth’s orbit around Sun

A large asteroid – named (153201) 2000 WO107 – will sweep past Earth in late November, providing astronomers with a good opportunity to study it. Closest approach to Earth will happen on November 29, 2020.&nbsp;

The asteroid is expected to be a real monster, estimated to range anywhere between 12,00ft to 2,5700ft across (370m and 820m).

To put this into perspective, the rogue space rock at it widest is almost the height of Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa skyscraper.

The building, found in the United Arab Emirates city has been the world's tallest since 2009 when it took the title from the Taipei 101 in Taiwan.

NASA has also forecast how the asteroid is currently speeding through space at a whopping 25.07km/s – the equivalent of 56,000mph.

The asteroid will not be visible to the eye, but people with small telescopes might catch it. Astronomers are gearing up to observe this asteroid further, in part because of its relatively large size, and in part, because subsequent passes of 2000 WO107 will be closer than this year’s pass.

NASA defines a Near-Earth Object (NEO) as any asteroid or comet coming within 1.3 AU of Earth.

(With inputs from agencies)

A large asteroid – named (153201) 2000 WO107 – will sweep past Earth in late November, providing astronomers with a good opportunity to study it. Closest approach to Earth will happen on November 29, 2020.

A large asteroid – named (153201) 2000 WO107 – will sweep past Earth in late November, providing astronomers with a good opportunity to study it. Closest approach to Earth will happen on November 29, 2020. The asteroid is expected to be a real monster, estimated to range anywhere between 12,00ft to 2,5700ft across (370m and 820m). To put this into perspective, the rogue space rock at it widest is almost the height of Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa skyscraper. The building, found in the United Arab Emirates city has been the world's tallest since 2009 when it took the title from the Taipei 101 in Taiwan. NASA has also forecast how the asteroid is currently speeding through space at a whopping 25.07km/s – the equivalent of 56,000mph. The asteroid will not be visible to the eye, but people with small telescopes might catch it. Astronomers are gearing up to observe this asteroid further, in part because of its relatively large size, and in part, because subsequent passes of 2000 WO107 will be closer than this year’s pass. NASA defines a Near-Earth Object (NEO) as any asteroid or comet coming within 1.3 AU of Earth. (With inputs from agencies)

Asteroid size of Burj Khalifa set to collide with Earth’s orbit next week

earths-orbit

Earth’s Orbit, News on Earth’s Orbit, stories on Earth’s Orbit, articles on Earth’s Orbit, Earth’s Orbit stories at Wion, Earth’s Orbit news, Earth’s Orbit latest news

earths orbit

Astronomers identify moon’s small chunk tracking Earth’s orbit around Sun

Asteroid size of Burj Khalifa set to collide with Earth’s orbit next week