The celestial object is what scientists call a quasi-moon — an asteroid that orbits the sun but appears to move alongside Earth due to its similar orbital path. Astronomers have discovered a small asteroid that has been quietly accompanying Earth on its journey around the sun for the past 60 years, according to research published in September.

When the balance in reflectivity shifts, “the whole circulation of the climate will shift in order to transport energy from the hemisphere that has a surplus to the one that has a deficit,” Soden says. This could influence ocean currents and the location of rainfall bands, which can have ramifications for water availability.

More objects are being launched into space than ever, and most are headed for low Earth orbit. This region of space has become increasingly crowded with launches from SpaceX and others that have doubled the number of Earth satellites in just a few years.

Space weather isn’t referring to rain clouds that float through the galaxy. Instead, it’s caused by massive explosions of particles that shoot out from the Sun.

Roughly 4.5 billion years ago, the young solar system was a swirling cloud of gas and dust that formed the first asteroids and planets, including the young Earth, then a hot, molten sphere likely bubbling with oceans of lava.

Technically, it's not a real moon. It's what scientists call a quasi-moon-a space rock that doesn't orbit Earth directly but stays nearby in a way that makes it look like it does.