2006-07-09 14:45:10 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
A candidate has been identified that could be called a moon of Earth. Actually it's an asteroid, about 3 km in diameter, named Cruithne that takes some 700 years for one orbit around Earth. Full details available at the website cited below.
2006-07-09 14:56:17 · answer #1 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, the added mass around our planet would have noticeable effects on tides and the rotation of our planet about the sun. The earth wobbles a bit in its orbit, just as the sun wobbles measurably because of the planets rotating around it. It's like a hammer-throw competitor (that big iron ball on the end of a chain, with the person spinning around and around to throw it... the ball tugs on the person, just like the person tugs on the ball).
Besides... even if the other moon had no luminoscity (didn't reflect the sun's light), the mass in the way would block out stars, producing a clearly visible "footprint" on our observations of outer space.
2006-07-09 21:51:27 · answer #2 · answered by tibet_is_for_lovers 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The idea that Earth has a very small second moon is not new. But one has never been found.
However, there is at least one near Earth asteroid in a very weird orbit that may sort of qualify. See the second source.
2006-07-09 21:53:35 · answer #3 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We would of found the second moon by now. And if you're thinking maybe further into space, it would likely be attracted to something of a larger size and closer that it's not going to be a second moon to earth.
2006-07-09 21:49:27 · answer #4 · answered by Schlonger34 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the earth had two moons, the tidal pattern would be different. Also, animal migratory patterns would be different. Because we can predict these things accurately using the moon we know about, there must not be any other force acting upon them.
2006-07-09 22:26:08 · answer #5 · answered by Tamm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
If there was two moons some spaceshuttel, telescope would see it! They know also how many moons exists on other planets...
Karl
http://www.bestlaserhairremoval.info/
2006-07-10 05:08:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does but not the so-called "black moon". The moon isn't the only natural sattelite our planet has. But it is the only with a planet's size.
2006-07-09 21:50:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is an asteroid whose name I haven't memorized that orbits the Sun influenced by Earth's gravity, and always at the same distance (some 5,000,000 miles)
2006-07-09 21:51:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
our planet has dozen's of moons
but most of them are artificial
is it possible that some little rocks are orbiting the earth?
sure
2006-07-09 21:49:03 · answer #9 · answered by enginerd 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no. Is it possible for one to become two and remain one ( numerically, not biologically)
2006-07-10 02:45:32 · answer #10 · answered by Axiom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋