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Science

(36,418 posts)

14. There's only one ("trojan") asteroid we know is in earth orbit, and this isn't it.

Fri May 31, 2013, 06:57 AM

May 2013

See, http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2011/07/trojan-asteroid-synced-in-orbit-with-earth.html

If 1989 QE2 were in planetary orbit, I'd agree with you. If it's not in orbit around another body other than the sun (that we've been able to determine), and has a satellite of its own, then how has QE2 not cleared its orbit?

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Surprise, Asteroid 1998 QE2 has a moon! [View all] DreamGypsy May 2013 OP

Who knew something that small could have a moon! CaliforniaPeggy May 2013 #1

Gee, I'm a lot less than 1.7 miles in diameter ... DreamGypsy May 2013 #3

Thank you for looking that up. It's fascinating! CaliforniaPeggy May 2013 #4

When did the IAU declare 1998 QE to be a dwarf planet? DreamGypsy May 2013 #6

Argue as you will ... DreamGypsy May 2013 #9

Except it hasn't cleared its orbit. Angleae May 2013 #12

Pluto has moons; it has not cleared its orbit, and is not an IAU planet muriel_volestrangler May 2013 #13

Time for a (Jonathan) Swiftie… Jackpine Radical May 2013 #5

Ah, Swiftie's, I know your Jonathan, but the ones I favor are Tom ... DreamGypsy May 2013 #8

+1000 DeSwiss May 2013 #10

Maybe that isn't a moon. Unknown Beatle May 2013 #11