Kids: Could Earth get another moon?
Asteroids striking the early Earth. (NASA image)
Is it possible for Earth’s gravity to capture an asteroid, turning it into a mini-moon?
It is possible – if an asteroid of an appropriate size passed at just the right speed, and encountered Earth at just the right angle. A bus-sized asteroid grazing Earth’s atmosphere might be captured by our planet’s gravity. Afterward, the moon’s gravity might pull it into a stable orbit above Earth – to give Earth a second moon.
Planetary scientists believe that asteroid capture was common billions of years ago. The planets are thought to have formed by a process of “accretion” – where small chunks of debris came together to form larger chunks. So there were lots more chunks – what we now call “asteroids” – moving through the solar system back then. Also, dense gas and dust surrounded the forming planets. When an asteroid passed through this material, drag slowed it down – making capture by a planet easier. Mars’ two small moons were probably captured in this way, as were various satellites of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Now asteroid capture is less common – but it is possible if the right asteroid comes along.
i love this articel i think its very intersting the learn about space and what not
Its interesting and scientific.
It is AWSOME
Its interesting and scientific because if we really have a new moon, then when we look up in the sky, we will see two moons.
Wow that will be amazing if we can have another moon. It will be very fast if it said the right speed.I hope that it will come true.
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If we had another moon wouldn’t it devastate the rhythm of the tides and disrupt ocean life? It would be visually wonderful, but environmentally tragic.
wonderful!
That sounds interesting!