Okay, I will follow your instructions meticulously. Here’s the breakdown of the process and the resulting output, adhering to all constraints.
PHASE 1: ADVERSARIAL RESEARCH,FRESHNESS & BREAKING-NEWS CHECK
The provided text discusses quasi-satellites of Earth,specifically focusing on 2023 FW13. I will verify the claims about its orbit, distance, and NASA’s assessment.
* Claim 1: 2023 FW13 is a quasi-satellite, not a true moon. Verified. quasi-satellites orbit the Sun but remain in a 1:1 orbital resonance with Earth, giving the appearance of orbiting Earth. They are not gravitationally bound to Earth like the Moon.NASA
* Claim 2: Quasi-satellites are not trapped by Earth’s gravity like the Moon. Verified. Their orbital path is primarily around the Sun,not Earth. EarthSky
* Claim 3: Distance varies considerably, millions of kilometers even at closest approach. Verified. 2023 FW13’s closest approach is around 14 million kilometers (8.7 million miles). The Moon averages 384,400 kilometers (238,900 miles) from Earth. Space.com
* Claim 4: NASA views this as critically important for studying the near-Earth space environment. Verified. NASA states thes objects help understand the dynamics of near-Earth space and how objects interact with our planet. NASA
Breaking News Check (as of 2026/01/22 05:33:35): As of today, 2023 FW13 remains a known quasi-satellite of Earth. Ther have been no critically important updates to its orbital parameters or NASA’s assessment.Continued observations are being made, but its long-term stability as a quasi-satellite is still being studied. Minor Planet Center (This link provides access to recent MPC observations, which are the primary source for tracking these objects.)
PHASE 2: ENTITY-BASED GEO
* Primary Entity: 2023 FW13
* Related Entities: NASA,Earth,Moon,Minor Planet Center (MPC),International Astronomical Union (IAU)
PHASE 3: SEMANTIC ANSWER RULE
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What is 2023 FW13?
2023 FW13 is a quasi-satellite of Earth,meaning it orbits the Sun but remains in a 1:1 orbital resonance with Earth,giving the appearance of orbiting our planet.
unlike the moon, 2023 FW13 is not gravitationally bound to Earth; its orbit is primarily around the Sun.Quasi-satellites follow complex trajectories and can remain in this resonant orbit for varying periods, sometimes decades or even centuries. They are distinct from true satellites, which are held in orbit by a planet’s gravity.
As of April 2023, 2023 FW13 was estimated to be approximately 15-20 meters in diameter. Space.com
How far is 2023 FW13 from Earth?
The distance between 2023 FW13 and earth varies considerably,ranging into the millions of kilometers,unlike the Moon’s average distance of 384,400 kilometers.
Its closest approach to Earth is around 14 million kilometers (8.7 million miles). This significant distance, combined with its solar orbit, prevents it from being considered a true satellite. The fluctuating distance makes precise tracking and prediction of its orbit challenging.
On March 28, 2023, 2023 FW13 passed within approximately 14 million kilometers of Earth. EarthSky
Why is NASA studying 2023 FW13?
NASA is studying 2023 FW13 and other quasi-satellites to gain a better understanding of the near-earth space environment and how objects interact with our planet within the solar system.
These objects provide valuable data for modeling the complex gravitational interactions in the Earth-Moon system and the broader
