quasi-satellite
Also known as quasisatellite, quasi-moon, quasimoon
right|200px|thumb|Diagram of generic quasi-satellite orbit A quasi-satellite is an object in a specific type of co-orbital configuration (1:1 orbital resonance) with a planet (or dwarf planet) where the object stays close to that planet over many orbital periods.
Article
11 sectionsContents
- Examples
- Venus
- Earth
- Ceres
- Neptune
- Other planets
- Artificial quasi-satellites
- Accidental quasi-satellites
- See also
- References
- External links
right|200px|thumb|Diagram of generic quasi-satellite orbit A quasi-satellite is an object in a specific type of co-orbital configuration (1:1 orbital resonance) with a planet (or dwarf planet) where the object stays close to that planet over many orbital periods.
A quasi-satellite's orbit around the Sun takes the same time as the planet's, but has a different eccentricity (usually greater), as shown in the diagram. When viewed from the perspective of the planet by an observer facing the Sun, the quasi-satellite will appear to travel in an oblong retrograde loop around the planet. .