Orbit

[oohbadknee]

Is it possible for an object from space to approach the Earth at the correct angle and enter an orbit of the planet?  what would be the angle and velocity required?

[jake-the-peg]

I take you mean a natural object like a comet or asteroid?

Many planetary moons are believed to have been "captured" in this way although our own moon was probably split from the earth by an impact event.

The velocity required depends on the radius of the orbit but if memory serves this works out at

V=GM/r

where G is the Gravitational constant, M the mass of the planet and r the radius of the orbit. I think a body passing the a planet at a trajectory where its' minimum distance and velocity match this would be captured.

I think it's more likely to be travelling too fast though