Updated on 08/19/2022 at 16:17
- Only one moon orbits around the Earth, while Mars orbits two natural satellites.
- Could our planet also exist with other moons?
- Scientists have gotten to the bottom of this question.
all four Giant planets in our solar system – that is, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune – many moons revolve around it. terrestrial planets – Like Mars, Venus or Earth – but only from a maximum of two moons. Earth can certainly capture smaller asteroids temporarily orbiting it as satellites.
Scientists have now asked themselves the question of how many moons could theoretically orbit Earth or an Earth-mass exoplanet and a star. The answer is first: Earth can exist with two other moons of the same mass without any problems.
It would also be possible for four moons with the mass of Pluto (about one-sixth the mass of the Moon) and seven of the mass of the dwarf planet Ceres (about a hundredth the mass of the Moon) to orbit Earth at the same time. The results were In the journal “Royal Astronomical Society” chest.
Researchers hope to gain insights into the formation of the Earth
In their simulations, the researchers had to consider both the distance the virtual satellites must orbit from Earth as well as the distance from each other. If the moons are too far apart, they can drift into space. If they are too close to each other, they may fall on the planet on which they are orbiting.
Read also: Why are many distant asteroids red?
Now astronomers hope that these findings will help them figure out how the Earth formed. They can also use the new knowledge to track down other Earth-like planets and their moons.
Sources used:
- Utah: A new study looks at how many moons a planet Earth’s mass can host
- Royal Astronomical Society: Moon filling around Earth-mass planet
- ScienceAlert: How many moons can you put in the sky? The answer may surprise you
- NASA Science Exploration of the Solar System: Pluto Dwarf Planet
The persistent probe has been traveling over Mars for more than a year to collect information about the Red Planet for NASA. After each test run, NASA takes a closer look at the craters – an interesting discovery has now been made.
“Tv expert. Hardcore creator. Extreme music fan. Lifelong twitter geek. Certified travel enthusiast. Baconaholic. Pop culture nerd. Reader. Freelance student.”
More Stories
Immunotherapy as conversion therapy
How did life begin on Earth? Munich researchers find important clues
Principles and features of the folk nutritional principle