The recent discovery of a new asteroid named 2023 FW13 is more than just a passing asteroid. According to new reports, the newly discovered asteroid is actually an ancient moon of Earth, a semi-moon that has been orbiting our planet since at least 100 BC.

In addition, astronomers believe that this newly formed semi-satellite will remain on Earth until 3700 AD, meaning it will travel with Earth for several thousand more years. Asteroid 2023 FW13 is in such a complex orbit that it passes halfway through Venus after half of Mars.

Scientists first discovered this intriguing asteroid on March 28 using the Pan-STARRS research telescope. This telescope sits atop an extinct volcano in Hawaii and takes pictures of the night sky to try to spot new asteroids, planets and stars. The asteroid 2023 FW13 is just one of many space objects detected by the telescope, including an Everest-sized comet.

Astronomers believe that asteroid 2023 FW13 shares a similar orbit with another semi-moon known as Kamoʻoalewa (2016 HO3). The asteroid is estimated to be about 65 feet (20 meters) in diameter. Astronomers say that although it sticks to Earth as it orbits, it has a much stronger effect on the Sun.

However, the Earth slightly distorts its orbit, so it always stays close to our planet. It still orbits the Sun, orbiting the star at the center of our Solar System for the same amount of time as the Earth. And each year, the asteroid 2023 FW13 approaches within 9 million miles of our planet.

Since the Moon is only 223,693 miles away in Earth’s orbit at its closest point, it’s still very far away. Thus, there is no fear of asteroid 2023 FW13 hitting Earth or causing any problems for our planet. The asteroid’s near-Earth orbit was first discovered by Futara journalist Adrienne Coffine.

It’s possible that future missions to the Half Moon will tell us more about how big it is and even what materials it’s made of.