發現背景
月球由於自轉和公轉的特點,始終以同一側面面向地球。這一面相對光滑,擁有古老岩漿形成的較平坦、黑暗的低矮平地。上世紀60年代,天文學家藉助太空飛行器發現遠離我們的月亮“背面”的秘密,那裡布滿崎嶇山脈和火山口。美國加州大學的艾瑞克·阿斯帕和瑞士伯恩大學的馬丁·徹奇希在2011年8月發表在《自然》上的文章中提出,通過研究發現,在遠古時期,地球已擁有兩個月亮,其中一個非常微小,另一個則是我們今天看到的月球。二者發生低速碰撞後合二為一,因此形成了月球今天的外貌。這個理論可以用來解釋為什麼探測器發現月球背面與面朝地球的一面會有如此大的差異。而在此之前,曾有科學家指出,月球背面與面朝地球一面之所以不同,只是由於引力的作用所致,而不是碰撞的結果。
天文專家認為,月球起源於太陽系形成早期,是一顆火星大小的天體碰撞地球後產生的碎片在重力作用下形成的。2011年8月,科學期刊《自然》又刊登了一篇文章,提出一個月球起源新觀點:月球背面之所以與面向地球那一面外貌相去甚遠,正是因為它與另一個“月亮第二”相撞的結果。
科學家稱,當地球圍繞太陽旋轉,經過微小的小行星的時候,地球的引力將可能捕獲它們。當它們當中的一個被吸引,圍繞地球旋轉時,當它的旋轉軌道不規則地搖擺著,與月亮軌道重合時,它會被對方猛烈撞擊,最終脫離地球的吸引,回到外太空。有研究小組甚至觀察到,自2006年9月開始至2007年7月,就曾經有一顆臨時小行星圍繞地球旋轉了將近一年的時間。
軌道
epoch2015-06-27.0 epoch JD2457200.5 perihelion date2015-04-03.03465 perihelion JD2457115.53465 argument of perihelion (°)10.10579 ascending node (°)51.15673 inclination (°)0.59508 eccentricity0.0244978 perihelion distance (AU)1.0078830 Tisserand w.r.t. Jupiter5.9 ΔV w.r.t. Earth (km/sec)3.8 | semimajor axis (AU)1.0331940 mean anomaly (°)79.73939 mean daily motion (°/day)0.93849300 aphelion distance (AU)1.059 period (years)1.05 P-vector [x]0.48080455 P-vector [y]0.80374714 P-vector [z]0.35045330 Q-vector [x]-0.87679048 Q-vector [y]0.43702507 Q-vector [z]0.20061790 absolute magnitude29.5 phase slope0.15 | uncertainty1 referenceMPO 133066 observations used133 oppositions2 arc length (days)281 first opposition used2006 last opposition used2007 residual rms (arc-secs)0.80 perturbers coarse indicatorM-v perturbers precise indicator003Eh first observation date used2006-09-14.0 last observation date used2007-06-22.0 computer nameChodas |
觀察
Date (UT) | J2000 RA | J2000 Dec | Magn | Location | Ref |
2006 09 14.27062 | 23 11 31.09 | -07 31 12.5 | 19.3 V | 703 – Catalina Sky Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 14.27704 | 23 11 33.36 | -07 32 30.6 | 18.9 V | 703 – Catalina Sky Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 14.28346 | 23 11 35.62 | -07 33 46.7 | 19.2 V | 703 – Catalina Sky Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 14.28988 | 23 11 38.04 | -07 35 02.3 | 19.0 V | 703 – Catalina Sky Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 14.31531 | 23 11 46.80 | -07 39 57.3 | 19.8 V | 703 – Catalina Sky Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 14.32244 | 23 11 49.38 | -07 41 20.4 | 19.5 V | 703 – Catalina Sky Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 14.32957 | 23 11 51.97 | -07 42 42.3 | 19.5 V | 703 – Catalina Sky Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 14.57244 | 23 15 51.66 | -08 03 15.8 | 19.4 R | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 14.57480 | 23 15 52.42 | -08 03 42.6 | 19.9 R | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 15.30082 | 23 26 45.63 | -10 49 35.7 | 19.1 R | 854 – Sabino Canyon Observatory, Tucson | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 15.30551 | 23 26 47.15 | -10 50 28.7 | 19.5 R | 854 – Sabino Canyon Observatory, Tucson | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 15.31020 | 23 26 48.83 | -10 51 20.9 | 19.1 R | 854 – Sabino Canyon Observatory, Tucson | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 16.30496 | 23 41 43.40 | -13 55 26.5 | 19.0 V | 703 – Catalina Sky Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 16.30565 | 23 41 43.69 | -13 55 34.4 | 19.4 V | 703 – Catalina Sky Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 16.30635 | 23 41 43.94 | -13 55 41.2 | 19.1 V | 703 – Catalina Sky Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 16.30705 | 23 41 44.19 | -13 55 48.5 | 19.7 V | 703 – Catalina Sky Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 16.60865 | 23 46 00.19 | -14 24 22.2 | 19.3 V | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 16.60919 | 23 46 00.30 | -14 24 27.2 | 18.9 V | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 16.60971 | 23 46 00.51 | -14 24 32.7 | 20.0 V | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 16.61026 | 23 46 00.73 | -14 24 38.7 | 19.6 V | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 16.61079 | 23 46 00.91 | -14 24 44.4 | 19.0 V | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 16.61273 | 23 46 01.48 | -14 25 04.1 | 20.0 V | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 16.61326 | 23 46 01.70 | -14 25 11.1 | 19.4 V | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 16.61383 | 23 46 01.88 | -14 25 15.9 | 19.7 V | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 16.61436 | 23 46 02.06 | -14 25 21.6 | 19.4 V | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 16.61490 | 23 46 02.28 | -14 25 27.9 | 19.5 V | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 17.30311 | 23 56 31.55 | -16 51 01.6 | 19.3 V | 703 – Catalina Sky Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 17.30529 | 23 56 32.28 | -16 51 23.5 | 19.3 V | 703 – Catalina Sky Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 17.30744 | 23 56 33.02 | -16 51 45.3 | 19.8 V | 703 – Catalina Sky Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 18.60321 | 00 15 21.53 | -20 00 10.3 | 19.5 R | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 18.60567 | 00 15 22.33 | -20 00 33.8 | 19.4 R | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 18.70586 | 00 15 57.74 | -20 14 51.1 | 19.5 R | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 18.70808 | 00 15 58.68 | -20 15 08.8 | 19.2 R | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 21.67191 | 00 58 22.27 | -27 05 33.6 | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 | |
2006 09 21.67456 | 00 58 23.12 | -27 05 49.6 | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 | |
2006 09 22.36078 | 01 08 09.32 | -28 45 54.6 | 693 – Catalina Station, Tucson | MPS 239158 | |
2006 09 22.36141 | 01 08 09.45 | -28 45 59.4 | 693 – Catalina Station, Tucson | MPS 239158 | |
2006 09 22.36271 | 01 08 09.79 | -28 46 06.3 | 19.5 R | 693 – Catalina Station, Tucson | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 23.62814 | 01 25 21.23 | -30 37 06.3 | 20.1 R | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 23.63784 | 01 25 23.76 | -30 38 04.0 | 20.2 R | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 25.77831 | 01 51 59.25 | -33 35 42.1 | 20.6 R | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 26.67365 | 02 03 54.67 | -34 39 50.1 | 20.7 R | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 26.68074 | 02 03 56.19 | -34 40 14.6 | 20.5 R | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 28.67809 | 02 27 40.30 | -36 30 15.9 | 20.3 R | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 09 28.68776 | 02 27 42.12 | -36 30 39.3 | 20.4 R | E12 – Siding Spring Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 12 11.29404 | 06 59 16.86 | +08 10 53.5 | 20.6 V | 291 – LPL/Spacewatch II | MPS 239158 |
2006 12 11.29941 | 06 59 15.06 | +08 11 39.6 | 20.9 V | 291 – LPL/Spacewatch II | MPS 239158 |
2006 12 11.30494 | 06 59 13.10 | +08 12 29.0 | 20.4 V | 291 – LPL/Spacewatch II | MPS 239158 |
2006 12 12.37118 | 06 59 10.84 | +10 47 18.6 | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239158 | |
2006 12 12.38374 | 06 59 05.41 | +10 49 11.5 | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239158 | |
2006 12 12.39691 | 06 58 59.88 | +10 51 06.6 | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239158 | |
2006 12 12.41300 | 06 58 53.09 | +10 53 28.4 | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239158 | |
2006 12 13.32455 | 06 59 51.70 | +13 14 40.4 | 20.3 V | 291 – LPL/Spacewatch II | MPS 239158 |
2006 12 13.33029 | 06 59 49.26 | +13 15 38.2 | 20.6 V | 291 – LPL/Spacewatch II | MPS 239158 |
2006 12 13.33599 | 06 59 46.78 | +13 16 33.0 | 291 – LPL/Spacewatch II | MPS 239158 | |
2006 12 16.34250 | 07 00 04.72 | +22 06 41.1 | 20.0 V | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 12 16.34640 | 07 00 02.61 | +22 07 27.9 | 19.7 V | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 12 16.35633 | 06 59 57.25 | +22 09 26.2 | 19.9 V | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 12 16.35663 | 06 59 57.09 | +22 09 29.5 | 19.4 V | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 12 16.35696 | 06 59 56.87 | +22 09 33.9 | 20.0 V | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 12 17.28409 | 07 00 29.51 | +25 15 15.3 | 19.9 V | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239158 |
2006 12 17.28772 | 07 00 27.66 | +25 16 05.7 | 19.8 V | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 11.861648 | 06 44 03.457 | -29 38 19.03 | 19.7 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 11.862514 | 06 44 03.077 | -29 38 07.30 | 19.3 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 11.862801 | 06 44 02.933 | -29 38 03.09 | 19.6 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 11.863087 | 06 44 02.823 | -29 37 59.40 | 19.5 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 11.863799 | 06 44 02.507 | -29 37 49.51 | 19.0 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 11.864947 | 06 44 02.009 | -29 37 33.79 | 19.6 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 11.866622 | 06 44 01.204 | -29 37 10.43 | 19.9 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 11.868049 | 06 44 00.631 | -29 36 50.75 | 19.9 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 11.869727 | 06 43 59.939 | -29 36 27.48 | 19.7 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 11.871154 | 06 43 59.315 | -29 36 07.79 | 20.1 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 15.12299 | 06 47 23.35 | -18 05 46.2 | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239158 | |
2007 03 15.12475 | 06 47 22.26 | -18 05 16.8 | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239158 | |
2007 03 15.12649 | 06 47 21.08 | -18 04 48.7 | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239158 | |
2007 03 15.12913 | 06 47 19.60 | -18 04 08.5 | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239158 | |
2007 03 15.833524 | 06 47 14.292 | -14 17 18.59 | 20.0 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 15.840361 | 06 47 10.728 | -14 15 10.56 | 19.9 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 15.848529 | 06 47 06.636 | -14 12 36.84 | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 | |
2007 03 15.854455 | 06 47 03.816 | -14 10 44.47 | 20.0 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 15.861316 | 06 47 00.629 | -14 08 34.23 | 19.7 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 16.815181 | 06 48 28.393 | -09 14 05.51 | 19.5 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 16.818719 | 06 48 26.354 | -09 12 52.92 | 20.2 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 16.821987 | 06 48 24.583 | -09 11 45.34 | 19.8 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 16.825256 | 06 48 22.741 | -09 10 37.83 | 20.0 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 16.827792 | 06 48 21.408 | -09 09 44.96 | 19.8 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 16.830311 | 06 48 19.959 | -09 08 53.39 | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 | |
2007 03 16.832846 | 06 48 18.597 | -09 08 00.96 | 19.6 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 16.835372 | 06 48 17.249 | -09 07 08.30 | 19.9 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 16.838670 | 06 48 15.490 | -09 05 59.57 | 20.2 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 16.846209 | 06 48 11.611 | -09 03 22.05 | 19.7 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 16.848705 | 06 48 10.373 | -09 02 30.26 | 19.6 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 16.851191 | 06 48 09.084 | -09 01 39.30 | 19.7 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 16.853682 | 06 48 07.932 | -09 00 46.13 | 19.9 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 17.799981 | 06 49 55.890 | -03 25 22.33 | 19.5 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 17.802147 | 06 49 54.510 | -03 24 32.09 | 19.8 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 17.806447 | 06 49 51.814 | -03 22 53.47 | 19.7 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 17.807634 | 06 49 51.073 | -03 22 26.34 | 19.7 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 17.808838 | 06 49 50.333 | -03 21 58.01 | 19.7 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 17.810044 | 06 49 49.593 | -03 21 30.66 | 20.0 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 17.813637 | 06 49 47.448 | -03 20 07.40 | 19.8 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 17.821359 | 06 49 42.909 | -03 17 08.33 | 19.3 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 17.824007 | 06 49 41.393 | -03 16 07.06 | 19.8 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 18.805190 | 06 51 30.381 | +03 27 31.86 | 19.9 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239158 |
2007 03 18.805431 | 06 51 30.217 | +03 27 39.19 | 19.8 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239159 |
2007 03 18.807727 | 06 51 28.733 | +03 28 39.60 | 19.6 V | B31 – Southern African Large Telescope, Sutherland | MPS 239159 |
2007 03 20.95266 | 06 56 21.83 | +21 30 51.7 | 18.7 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 03 20.95889 | 06 56 20.43 | +21 34 27.9 | 19.2 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 03 20.96545 | 06 56 19.15 | +21 38 16.0 | 18.7 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 03 20.97251 | 06 56 17.93 | +21 42 20.8 | 19.0 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 03 20.97850 | 06 56 17.01 | +21 45 47.6 | 19.2 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 03 20.98466 | 06 56 16.28 | +21 49 20.2 | 19.3 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 15.950474 | 20 20 10.06 | +62 30 18.3 | 20.3 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 15.955659 | 20 20 03.14 | +62 24 28.6 | 19.7 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 15.959845 | 20 19 57.22 | +62 19 47.1 | 20.2 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 15.979694 | 20 19 27.19 | +61 57 21.2 | 19.0 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 18.95308 | 20 18 40.91 | +16 57 22.9 | 19.0 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 18.95491 | 20 18 40.11 | +16 56 23.4 | 19.0 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 18.95759 | 20 18 38.98 | +16 54 54.4 | 19.1 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 18.95964 | 20 18 38.03 | +16 53 46.5 | 19.2 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 18.96135 | 20 18 37.26 | +16 52 49.5 | 18.9 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 18.99651 | 20 18 18.54 | +16 33 23.2 | 18.7 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 18.99858 | 20 18 17.27 | +16 32 14.3 | 18.6 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 19.00039 | 20 18 16.23 | +16 31 14.3 | 18.6 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 19.00236 | 20 18 15.11 | +16 30 07.9 | 18.7 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 20.97441 | 20 18 22.97 | +00 50 00.1 | 19.7 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 20.98051 | 20 18 20.39 | +00 47 40.6 | 19.3 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 20.98605 | 20 18 17.98 | +00 45 32.6 | 19.7 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 21.02697 | 20 17 58.02 | +00 29 52.4 | 19.1 R | J95 – Great Shefford | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 22.31459 | 20 18 19.44 | -06 42 29.3 | 19.2 V | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 22.32045 | 20 18 15.76 | -06 44 21.1 | 19.1 V | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239159 |
2007 06 22.32603 | 20 18 12.24 | -06 46 06.6 | 19.3 V | G96 – Mt. Lemmon Survey | MPS 239159 |
天文數據
2006RH120是在亞利桑那州圖森市卡特琳娜天空觀測站被發現到的,被命名為2006RH120,估計直徑只有5米。它通常都是繞著太陽公轉,但是每20年左右會接近“地月系”一次。“2006RH120能夠被發現,是因為它比其他的‘臨時月亮’更大一點,後來大部分進入到地球軌道的小行星都只有大約1米寬。
運動特點
偶爾這個天體會短暫的進入臨時衛星捕獲(temporary satellite capture,TSC),在臨時衛星捕獲期間,流星體可以是除了月球之外的另一顆天然衛星。2006RH120在臨時軌道上打轉幾個循環,然後就打包一走了之的幾個輕如鴻毛的小不點是衛星。2006RH120在2006年9月到2007年7月是在地球軌道上的小不點,直到2008年2月18日才給了小行星的名稱,就是所知的6R10DB9,卡特林那巡天系統的內部辨識名稱。
來源爭議
2006RH120的來源仍存在著一些爭議。發現後,因為他的大小、軌道和光譜——符合農神五號火箭使用的鈦白氧化塗料——而沒有給予正式的名稱,建議它可能是一個人造的物體。存在的一個先例是幾乎在完全一樣軌道上的J002E3,目前認為它是阿波羅12號的農神S-IVB第三節的助推器。