24th September 2024 (14 Topics)
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Earth to get a mini-moon
Context
A small asteroid named 2024 PT5 is set to become a temporary “mini-moon” of Earth. It will be captured by our planet's gravitational pull and orbit for a short time (September 29, 2024- November 25, 2024).
About the Asteroid
- Size: Estimated to be about 37 feet in diameter, but could range from 16 to 138 feet.
- Discovery: First spotted on August 7, 2023, by NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS).
- Distance: It will orbit Earth at a safe distance of 6 million miles, roughly 10 times farther than the Moon.
Characteristics of Mini-Moons
- Temporary Visitors: 2024 PT5 is classified as a mini-moon, a type of asteroid that can temporarily orbit Earth.
- Duration: These mini-moons can stay for varying lengths of time—some for weeks, like 2024 PT5, while others may linger for years.
- Future Returns: After its brief stay, 2024 PT5 is expected to make another close flyby in January 2025, with potential returns as a mini-moon in 2055 and 2084.
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