Earth Will Get a Second Moon!
Exciting news for space lovers! Earth will have a second moon for about two months this year. A small asteroid, named 2024 PT5, will start orbiting our planet. This mini-moon will be in a unique horseshoe shape from September 29 to November 25.
Discovery of 2024 PT5
The asteroid was discovered in August by researchers at the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS). This system is funded by NASA and uses advanced instruments in Sutherland, South Africa. Scientists have tracked 2024 PT5’s orbit for 21 days. They found that it comes from the Arjuna asteroid belt, which orbits the sun. This information was published in the Research Notes of the AAS.
How Will It Orbit Earth?
Earth’s gravity will pull 2024 PT5 towards it. Like our moon, this asteroid will orbit our planet, but only for 56.6 days. While other non-Earth objects (NEOs) have entered Earth’s orbit before, not all complete full revolutions. Some become mini-moons, like 2020 CD3, which orbited Earth for several years before leaving in 2020. Another asteroid, 2022 NX1, was a mini-moon in 1981 and 2022 and will return in 2051.
What Makes 2024 PT5 Special?
2024 PT5 is larger than some previous mini-moons. It will return to Earth’s orbit again in 2055. When it does, it will have negative geocentric energy, meaning it cannot escape Earth’s gravitational pull. After its short stay, it will revert to heliocentric energy, rotating around the sun like other planets.
Future Path of 2024 PT5
Even after leaving Earth’s orbit, 2024 PT5 will remain close to our planet for a few months. Its closest approach will be on January 9, 2025. After that, it will drift away until it returns to our orbit in about 30 years.
Can We See It?
Carlos de la Fuente Marcos, the study’s lead author, mentioned that 2024 PT5 will be too small to see with regular telescopes or binoculars. However, professional astronomers with powerful tools will be able to spot it.
FAQs
A mini-moon is a small asteroid that temporarily orbits Earth.
It will orbit Earth for about 56.6 days.
It will return in 2055.
No, it will be too small for amateur telescopes, but professionals may see it.
It will stay near Earth for a few months and then return to orbit the sun.
Conclusion
The arrival of 2024 PT5 is a thrilling event for astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. While it may be too small for most of us to see, its journey around Earth is a reminder of the wonders of our universe. Keep an eye on the skies this fall!