Science

Fireball photo: Stunning image released of 24,480MPH ‘minimoon’ asteroid explosion


Our planet’s Moon is 2,000-miles across and Earth’s lunar orb has orbited us for four billion years.

A minimoon is in contrast only a few feet across and can be attracted to Earth for less than a year.

The space rock will then resume its life as an asteroid or falling to Earth as a spectacular meteor fireball.

Researchers from Australia’s Curtin University have revealed these celestial objects can be a vitally important sub-population of near-Earth objects.

The scientists claim it is important they are studied as they are close to Earth so make the easiest targets for future sample-return, redirection, or asteroid mining missions.



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