Earth will soon have a new temporary “mini-moon” as asteroid 2024 PT5 orbits our planet. Astronomers discovered the asteroid on August 7 using NASA’s ATLAS observatory in South Africa. Starting on September 29, 2024 PT5 will orbit Earth until November 25, when it will return to its orbit around the sun.
Astronomers estimate the asteroid to be about 37 feet in diameter, but more data is needed to confirm its size. The asteroid will remain at a safe distance, about 2.6 million miles from Earth, or roughly 10 times the distance to the moon. Experts have assured that it poses no collision risk to Earth.
Mini-moons like 2024 PT5 form when Earth’s gravity temporarily captures asteroids. These events fall into two categories: long-term captures, where asteroids complete multiple orbits, and short-term captures, where asteroids stay for only a few weeks or months. Asteroid 2024 PT5 will follow the latter pattern.
The asteroid comes from the Arjuna asteroid group, which has orbits similar to Earth’s. After it leaves Earth’s orbit in November, 2024 PT5 will fly close to Earth again in January 2025. Astronomers expect it to return as a mini-moon in 2055 and again in 2084. (CNN)
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