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Earth’s mini-moon

Context

Earth has got a rare second moon. The 2024 PT5 asteroid, which zipped past Earth recently, is set to orbit the planet for nearly two months.

What is Earth’s mini-moon?

The term ‘mini-moon’ refers to asteroid 2024 PT5, which was first detected by Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS).
- ATLAS is an automated system funded by NASA. ATLAS is designed to monitor near-Earth asteroids that could pose a threat or offer scientific insights.
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is also involved in monitoring this mini moon through its Network for Space Objects Tracking and Analysis (NETRA).
In general, asteroids that fail to escape Earth’s gravity, momentarily alter their trajectory and end up orbiting the planet for a time. These asteroids are referred to as mini-moons.
These small, fast-moving asteroids are difficult to detect and identify.
The 2024 PT5 asteroid, though small has a diameter of about 10 metres (33 feet).
During its 53-day orbit around Earth, the aestroid will not complete a full revolution but instead perform a horseshoe loop before drifting away from Earth’s gravitational influence.
The ‘mini-moon’ belongs to a group of asteroids named after the warrior,

Fact Box:

Mini-moon

The word is used for asteroids or comets that become bound to our gravity and so become a satellite, just like the real Moon that we see every night is.
They are “mini” because they are small but also because they are not like the more celebrated moons that surround us and other planets in our solar system, since they usually leave quickly after arriving.
Mini moons are not a new phenomenon. These earlier examples include:
- 1991 VG: The first confirmed mini moon that orbits Earth for about a year.
- 2006 RH120: Caught in orbit for nearly a year.
Arjuna asteroid group
Arjuna asteroid group is a set of asteroids that are just under 100 million miles from the Sun and have similar orbits.

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GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

1st October 2024 (12 Topics)

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Earth’s mini-moon

What is Earth’s mini-moon?

Fact Box:

Still Have Questions?

GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Earth’s mini-moon

What is Earth’s mini-moon?

Fact Box:

Still Have Questions?

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