In a few days, the Earth will meet its new mini-moon. The asteroid 2024 PT5 will act as Earth’s new moon. This asteroid was discovered on August 7, 2024. Asteroid 2024 PT5 measures about 10 meters (33 feet) in diameter. This mini-moon will enter the Earth’s orbit on September 29 and continue in orbit till November 25, 2024.
What is a Mini-Moon?
A mini-moon is Earth’s gravity-captured mini asteroid. Such events are very rare, and they impress astronomers. This mini-moon will orbit but will not complete a full revolution around Earth. It will stay in Earth’s orbit for two months before returning to its main path.
The mini-moon 2024 PT5 is special because of its size and the duration it will stay with us. It is about 10 meters in diameter, making it one of the larger mini-moons. Its stay of nearly two months is also longer than usual. Most mini-moons only stay for a few weeks.
The ATLAS survey in South Africa discovered asteroid 2024 PT5. This survey studies near-earth objects that have orbits similar to our Earth. The discovery of 2024 PT5 puts more emphasis on our understanding of these space rocks.
How Will It Orbit Earth?
Earth’s gravity will capture the mini-moon on September 29, 2024. It will then start looping around our planet. But, it will not complete a full orbit around Earth. Instead, it will follow a horseshoe path. A Horseshoe path means it will come close to Earth, then move away, and then come close again. This looping will continue until November 25, 2024, when it will break free from Earth’s gravity.
The question is, can we see this mini-moon through our naked eyes? The answer is NO because it is too small to capture through the eyes. It will have a magnitude of 22, which is very faint. Even most amateur telescopes won’t be able to spot it. Only high-power observatories can see this mini-moon.
Importance of Studying Mini-Moons
Studying mini-moons like 2024 PT5 is important for several reasons.
- It helps us understand the dynamics of near-Earth objects. By observing how Earth’s gravity affects these objects, scientists can refine their models of gravitational interactions. This can improve predictions for how other asteroids might behave when they pass close to Earth.
- Mini-moons offer a unique opportunity to study the composition of asteroids. By analyzing the light reflected from these objects, scientists can learn about their surface materials.
This is not the first time an asteroid has come in Earth’s gravity. In 1981 and 2022, an asteroid named 2022 NX1 became a temporary mini-moon. It followed a similar path to 2024 PT5. These events are rare but not unheard of. Each new mini-moon adds to our knowledge of these fascinating objects.
After November 25, 2024, 2024 PT5 will leave Earth’s gravity and return to its orbit around the Sun. It will have another close flyby of Earth on January 9, 2025. But, it won’t be captured again. The next time it will come close to Earth will be in 2055.
