Discover the Surprising 6 Moons of Earth You Never Knew Existed: Scientists Unveil Hidden Celestial Wonders!

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Did you know Earth might have more than just one moon? Recent research has shown that our planet regularly hosts a group of tiny moons, known as ‘minimoons.’ These are smaller fragments, often only about six feet across, created when asteroids hit the moon’s surface.

A team from different countries, including the US and Germany, found that these little satellites can drift into stable orbits around Earth, sometimes hanging around for years. However, most of them don’t stick around for long before getting pulled away into the sun’s gravitational field or crashing back to Earth or the moon.

According to Robert Jedicke from the University of Hawaii, it’s like a dance where partners regularly change. He notes that around 18% of these temporarily bound objects can be classified as minimoons. Their studies estimate that there are about 6.5 minimoons larger than one meter in our Earth-Moon system at any time.

This research challenges earlier ideas that most minimoons come from the asteroid belt situated between Mars and Jupiter. A previous study from 2018 pointed towards this belt as the main source for these celestial visitors. But recent findings, published in the journal Icarus, indicate that at least two recently discovered minimoons—Kamo’oalewa and 2024 PT5—appear to be remnants of the moon itself.

Kamo’oalewa, spotted in 2016 by the Pan-STARRS1 telescope in Hawaii, reflects light similarly to the moon’s surface. It’s significantly larger, measuring between 131 and 328 feet, and contains similar materials. This contrasts sharply with typical asteroids, which usually have different compositions.

Another mini moon, 2024 PT5, has been observed displaying these lunar-like features as well. Last year, it earned the title of Earth’s temporary ‘second moon’ due to its size and extended stay close to our planet. Discoveries about 2024 PT5 suggest it may actually be a piece of our moon.

The current leading theory about the moon’s formation is the ‘giant impact hypothesis.’ It proposes that a Mars-sized planet crashed into early Earth about four billion years ago, sending pieces of our planet into space, which eventually formed the moon.

If this theory holds true, then these minimoons are essentially fragments of our moon, making Earth their grandparent. This fascinating insight into our dynamic relationship with celestial bodies not only deepens our understanding of the cosmos but also invites us to look up at the night sky with a new perspective.

For more insights on lunar science, you can read the full study in Icarus here.

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