Baku 12° C
There is a new, but temporary, natural moon orbiting Earth, according to the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center.
The group announced the discovery of 2020 CD3 in an update this week.
"Orbit integrations ... indicate that this object is temporarily bound to the Earth," astronomers wrote in the update. "No evidence of perturbations due to solar radiation pressure is seen, and no link to a known artificial object has been found. Further observations and dynamical studies are strongly encouraged."
As EarthSky reported, the new mini-moon was first spotted by astronomers at the Catalina Sky Survey, based at the University of Arizona, on February 15. Scientists have since observed the object 30 times, confirming its orbit around Earth.
Researchers estimate the natural satellite to be between six and 12 feet in diameter.
NASA scientists have previously conducted computer simulations suggesting Earth is usually host to one or more mini-moons, asteroids that temporarily circle Earth before breaking free and escaping back into interplanetary space.
