The question of the number of natural satellites that surround the earth was more complicated than the centuries ago. As you know, you can see only one satellite - a month. However, this astronomical fact is now not recognized as the only version.
For a long time it was believed that the moon was the only natural satellite of the Earth. But scientific discoveries in recent years indicate that this assumption is incorrect. According to scientists, the moon, although remains the only constant natural companion, but not the only one who is attracted by the gravity of the earth.
Scientists have argued that in addition to the month, the Earth periodically captures asteroids and dust clouds, turning them into temporary satellites. Thus, the statement about the unity of the moon as a satellite of the Earth is not absolute.
Ancient scientists believed that at the initial stage of the existence of the Earth, our planet did not have natural satellites. However, according to recent studies conducted at The Astrophysical Journal Letters in 2022, it was found that about 4.4 billion years ago, the Taya Protoplanet struck on the ground, and a month was formed from the debris of the earth's crust.
Modern astronomers have added that from time to time, temporary satellites come to Earth, which picks up the gravity of the planet. For example, the 2020 CD3 asteroid was recognized as the second Earth's satellite from 2017 to 2020, and the 2006 RH120 Asteroid has revolved around our planet for one and a half years since 2006.
It should be noted that there are also so -called quasi -pervasions, objects that rotate around the sun in a similar orbit to the orbit of the Earth, and look as if they are constantly near the planet. According to NASA scientists, some space objects that fall into the specific gravitational system of the Sun-Earth or land-moon can also be considered as satellites of the Earth.
