What is 2023 FW13?

About 2023 FW13:

• It is an asteroid which has been designated as a quasi-satellite or a quasi-moon.
• It is among the few known quasi-moons or satellites that we know of in our solar system.
• It was identified by experts utilizing the Pan-STARRS telescope situated atop Hawaii’s Haleakala volcano.
• It has been in Earth's vicinity since 100 BC and will keep circling our planet for at least another 1,500 years, until AD 3700. 
• Features:
  • The newfound asteroid 2023 FW13 circles the sun in sync with Earth.
  • According to preliminary estimates, its diameter is from 10 to 20 meters.
  • While not gravitationally bound to Earth in any discernible way (like our Moon), the asteroid's bizarre orbit makes it circle our planet occasionally, earning it the name of a quasi-satellite or quasi-moon.
  • At the closest point in its slightly elliptical orbit around Earth, the moon comes within about 223,693 miles (360,000 km) of our planet.

What are quasi-moons?

• Quasi-moons are also known as 'quasi-satellites' because they appear to orbit our planet in the same way that our natural satellite, the Moon. 
• It is a space rock that circles the Earth, but is gravitationally bound by the sun.

 

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Q1) What is an Asteroid?

Asteroids are small, rocky objects that orbit the sun. Although asteroids orbit the sun like planets, they are much smaller than planets.

Source: Earth's fake Moon? This 'quasi-moon' has circled Earth since at least 100 BC, and will continue to do so