Astronomers find an oddball asteroid entirely inside the orbit of Venus

[smp]

From Ars Technica:
"Until now, scientists have theorized that Vatira asteroids might exist—those with orbits inside Venus—but had yet to find one. They would be difficult to observe because their orbits would bring them close to the Sun, leaving only a short window to find them in the dusk or dawn sky. And also because presumably they are quite rare due to the gravitational challenge of squeezing into a stable orbit so near the Sun."

https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/01 ... -of-venus/

I love Astronomy. A journey of discovery of cool and curious stuff.

smp

[Damien75]

Could this be considered a moon of Venus?

[kt4hx]

Could this be considered a moon of Venus?

Not really because it does not orbit Venus and is not gravitationally bound to the planet. Rather it is bound to and orbits the Sun.

[Damien75]

Thank you