Tag: celestial mechanics
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Largest Sun of 2026: Earth Reaches Perihelion in Early January
What is perihelion and why does it matter? Perihelion is the point in Earth’s orbit where we are closest to the Sun. In 2026, this celestial milestone occurs on or around January 3, when our planet reaches its minimum distance from its parent star. Although the distance varies slightly each year due to gravitational influences,…
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Interstellar Visitor 3I/ATLAS Flies By Mars: ESA Captures Rare Interstellar Flyby
Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS: A Rare Cosmic Visitor The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, only the third confirmed object to originate from outside our solar system, has given scientists an extraordinary chance to study material from another star. First identified in 2019 and confirmed as interstellar, 3I/ATLAS shocked the astronomy community with speeds that suggest an origin beyond…
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The Quiet Cosmic Dweller: What Is a Quasi-Moon and Why It Silently Orbits Earth
What is a quasi-moon? Beyond the familiar Moon, the outer solar system hosts a rare class of space rocks known as quasi-moons. These objects are not true satellites captured by Earth’s gravity; instead, they ride along Earth’s orbital path around the Sun. From our vantage point, they appear to drift with us year after year,…
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New Quasi-Moon Discovered in Earth’s Orbit
Introduction to Quasi-Moons Recently, astronomers announced the discovery of a new “quasi-moon” that may have been orbiting Earth for decades without detection. The term “quasi-moon” describes celestial objects that share a gravitational relationship with Earth, allowing them to orbit our planet while not being classified as traditional moons. What is a Quasi-Moon? Quasi-moons, as defined…