captured objects Archives

March 25, 2024March 25, 2024 by Evan Gough

An Asteroid Found Sharing the Orbit of Mars

The trojan asteroids of Mars. Credit: Armagh Observatory

Astronomers discovered another asteroid sharing Mars’ orbit. These types of asteroids are called trojans, and they orbit in two clumps, one ahead of and one behind the planet. But the origins of the Mars trojans are unclear.

Can this new discovery help explain where they came from?

February 27, 2024February 27, 2024 by Evan Gough

New Moons Found at Uranus and Neptune

The discovery image of the new Uranian moon S/2023 U1 using the Magellan telescope on November 4, 2023. Uranus is just off the field of view in the upper left, as seen by the increased scattered light. S/2023 U1 is the faint point of light in the center of the image with the yellow arrow. The trails are from background stars. Credit: Scott Sheppard.

Astronomers have found three new moons orbiting our Solar System’s ice giants. One is orbiting Uranus, and two are orbiting Neptune. It took hard work to find them, including dozens of time exposures by some of our most powerful telescopes over several years. All three are captured objects, and there are likely more moons around both planets waiting to be discovered.

September 27, 2021September 27, 2021 by Evan Gough

What Happens to Interstellar Objects Captured by the Solar System?

An artist’s overview of the mission concept for the Comet Interceptor spacecraft. Credit: ESA

Now that we know that interstellar objects (ISOs) visit our Solar System, scientists are keen to understand them better. How could they be captured? If they’re captured, what happens to them? How many of them might be in our Solar System?

One team of researchers is trying to find answers.