(Features/ Environment) Earth’s gravitational pull is going to momentarily turn a small asteroid into a “mini-moon.” On September 29, 2024 PT5, this celestial visitor, will start its orbit around Earth and stay for a few months before leaving our planet’s gravitational pull. Unfortunately, professional-grade telescopes will be required to see this second moon because it will be too faint and dull.
The asteroid was initially discovered on August 7 by NASA‘s Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS). Researchers determined its course, and Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society published their results.
The source of 2024 PT5 is the Arjuna asteroid belt, a collection of objects with an orbit resembling Earth’s. From time to time, these asteroids pass relatively close to Earth—up to 2.8 million miles (4.5 million km). This space rock is an example of an asteroid that Earth’s gravitational field can momentarily catch while it travels at a relatively modest speed, about 2,200 mph (3,540 km/h).
The asteroid will begin its two-month orbit around Earth this weekend and then proceed on its way. Astronomer Dr. Jennifer Millard, who hosts the Awesome Astronomy podcast, claims that although the asteroid won’t complete an orbit, Earth’s gravity will significantly change its path. It is anticipated to exit the orbit of Earth on November 25.
2024 PT5, with a length of roughly 32 feet (10 meters), is small in comparison to Earth’s moon, which has a diameter of about 3,474 kilometres. Even with home telescopes or binoculars, its modest size and dull substance will prevent it from being seen with the unaided eye. Nonetheless, as the asteroid whizzes by the sky, expert telescopes will snap pictures, many of which will probably surface online.
Astronomers believe that many more mini-moons have probably gone unreported because this is not the first time one has been seen. A few mini-moons even make a comeback; one such asteroid is the 2022 NX1, which orbited Earth once in 1981 and once more in 2022. It is also anticipated that 2024 PT5 would reappear in 2055.
Another well-known mini-moon was 2006 RH120, which orbited Earth for about 13 months from 2006 to 2007 before escaping back into space.
These events occur when asteroids from the near-Earth neighbourhood, especially those belonging to the Arjuna asteroid group (which have orbits similar to Earth’s), approach close enough and slow down enough to be momentarily captured by Earth’s gravitational field. They provide amazing insights into the activity of our solar system, despite the fact that they rarely remain in orbit for more than a few months at a time.
The mini-moon phenomena draws attention to how dynamic Earth’s surrounds are and how many objects are still travelling through space that we have not yet discovered.
Dr. Millard emphasized the value of keeping an eye on the night sky, pointing out that there are many objects in our solar system that we have not yet found. The finding of the asteroid highlights the activity in our cosmic neighbourhood, where there may be thousands or maybe tens of thousands of undiscovered asteroids.
Mini-moons’ brief orbital period and small size mean that they have little to no direct effect on Earth. Since mini-moons usually have a diameter of only a few feet to tens of feet, their gravitational impact on Earth is minimal. Unlike the regular moon, they have no effect on weather patterns, tides, or geological processes.
Even though they are not dangerous, mini-moons present an important chance for research. They can aid in the understanding of the dynamics of near-Earth objects and the interaction between asteroids and Earth’s gravity by astronomers. Mini-moon research can also shed light on the makeup of asteroids, which will be helpful for planetary defence plans and future space travel.
Even if a mini-moon were to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, it would probably burn up as a harmless fireball or meteor because they are often too small to be a threat to Earth.
A captured mini-moon gives an ideal target for possible spacecraft missions. Without the need for long-duration space trips, they might provide convenient access for technological testing or asteroid research given their brief orbital period around Earth.
It is difficult to forecast the precise timing of upcoming mini-moons because many of these objects are dark, small, and hard to find. On the other hand, scientists predict that Earth will likely see more mini-moons in the future based on existing observations and patterns.
Near-Earth space is constantly being observed by astronomers, and as technology advances, new mini-moons should be discovered sooner, offering greater opportunity to research these transient natural satellites.
