Earth is being stalked by a giant ‘Trojan asteroid’ and humans could visit it

A “Trojan” asteroid has been spotted following Earth.

Scientists have confirmed that a giant asteroid called “2020 XL5” is following Earth’s orbit.

This is only the second asteroid to be spotted sharing Earth’s orbit.

The researchers think it’s close enough to be visited by humans one day.

Trojan asteroids are known for sharing their orbit w൲ith a planet.

Asteroids like this were first spotted around Jupiter and were named after figures f🐟rom the Trojan War.

Only one 🥂other Trojan asteroid has been spotted around Earth.

Scientists spotted the new Tr🍌ojan candidate on December 12, 2020.

Data has since confirmed that it is an Earth Trojan afꦦter all.

The research has just been .

The researchers state: “Here we confirm that the recently discovered 2020 XL₅ is the second transient Earth Trojan known.”

The asteroid is said to be about 0.73 miles wide.

Luckily, it’s not expected to impact Earth and should just follow closely behind us.

The researchers think humans could visit it one day and⛎ even♑ build a base there.

They wrote: “These objects may become ideal targets for space missions and, in the more distant future, to settle human bases or install scientific hardware that would benefit from their peculiar location.”

It’s unclear where the asteroid came from.

It may have been flung our way by Jupiter.

Experts think the asteroid could share our orbit for the next 4,000 𝓰years.

This story originally appeared on and has been reproduced here with permission.