Chinese researchers using a satellite observe and image a rare near-Earth object that behaves like a “minimoon,” temporarily orbiting Earth. The reports describe the newly obtained view as the first image of this type of object, showing a small natural body caught in a looping trajectory around Earth rather than the long-term orbit characteristic of the Moon. The object is described as having characteristics consistent with a “micromoon” or “minimoon,” terms often used for small bodies that are gravitationally bound to Earth for a limited time. According to the coverage, the observation comes from a Chinese space mission that returns data enabling scientists to confirm the object’s presence and orbital behavior. The reports do not provide detailed orbital parameters in the material supplied, but they emphasize the novelty of capturing and publicizing an image of such an event. Overall, the story centers on a new observational result: a Chinese satellite relays an image of a rare natural body that temporarily loops around Earth.
Chinese satellite captures image of rare Earth “minimoon”
Chinese researchers using a satellite observe and image a rare near-Earth object that behaves like a “minimoon,” temporarily orbiting Earth. The reports describe the newly obtained view as the first i...
- Chinese sources report a satellite imaging a rare near-Earth “minimoon” (also described as a “micromoon”).
- The object is characterized as temporarily looping around Earth, rather than orbiting like the Moon long-term.
- The image is presented as the first of its kind for such a rare Earth-bound natural object.
- The observation is based on data returned by a Chinese satellite.
- The reports focus on the object’s unusual orbital behavior and novelty of obtaining an image.
This is the first image of a rare 'minimoon' that loops around the Earth like a dance partner.
4 hours agoThis is the first image of a rare 'minimoon' that loops around the Earth like a dance partner.
4 hours ago
Learning multiple languages is linked to slower brain ageing, study suggests
A study presented at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) conference in Barcelona reports an associa...
Korea launches Earth-observation satellite No. 4 into orbit via SpaceX Falcon 9
South Korea successfully launches and places into low-Earth orbit its next-generation Earth observation satellite No. 4...
Air India appoints Skytech-AIC to sell six Airbus A319 aircraft
Air India has appointed UK-based aircraft marketing and asset management firm Skytech-AIC to oversee the sale of six Air...