Chapter 1: The Nature of Quasi-Moons

A "quasi-moon" is a term used to describe celestial bodies that temporarily orbit a planet, exhibiting moon-like characteristics but lacking the full qualifications to be classified as true moons. These objects are often small asteroids or fragments that become briefly ensnared by a planet's gravitational pull. Gaining insights into quasi-moons can enhance our understanding of moon formation, their evolutionary processes, and their interactions with planetary bodies.

Recently, scientists have made a remarkable discovery: an asteroid designated 2023 FW13 has been traveling alongside Earth on its solar orbit. This intriguing space rock, commonly referred to as a "quasi-moon" or "quasi-satellite," shares a similar orbital period with Earth while being only slightly influenced by our planet's gravity.

Measuring approximately 50 feet (15 meters) across—about the length of three large SUVs lined up—it not only orbits the sun but also completes its own orbits around Earth, coming as close as 9 million miles (14 million kilometers) to our planet. For comparison, Earth's moon has a diameter of 2,159 miles (3,474 km) and can approach as closely as 226,000 miles (364,000 km).

After its initial detection in March, astronomers conducted further investigations and discovered that observations of 2023 FW13 date back to 2012. This finding enriches our understanding of the asteroid's trajectory and allows for a more extensive analysis of its behavior and features.

Section 1.1: Discovery and Verification

2023 FW13 was first identified by the Pan-STARRS observatory, located on the volcanic Haleakalā mountain in Hawaii. Its existence was subsequently confirmed by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope and two observatories in Arizona. Fortunately, this newly discovered asteroid does not pose any threat of impact.

On April 1, the Minor Planet Center, part of the International Astronomical Union, officially recognized the asteroid, adding it to the catalog of newly designated celestial objects. According to astronomer and journalist Adrien Coffinet, who classified the asteroid as a quasi-moon based on its orbit, it may have been accompanying Earth since around 100 B.C.

Subsection 1.1.1: Orbital Characteristics

Impressively, projections suggest that 2023 FW13 will continue on this orbital journey until approximately A.D. 3700. Coffinet noted to Sky & Telescope that this quasi-satellite seems to be the longest known of its kind, highlighting the importance of this discovery. In 2016, Pan-STARRS also identified a sneaky rock satellite, possibly a fragment of the moon.

For the time being, however, the moon that captures our attention is the one visible nearly every night in our skies.

Chapter 2: The Implications of Quasi-Moons

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