EARTH TO GET A TEMPORARILY MINI-MOON: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
- In late September 2024, Earth’s gravitational field will briefly capture a small asteroid, named 2024 PT5.
- While Earth has occasionally acquired mini-moons in the past, the phenomenon is rare, as most asteroids either miss the planet or burn up in the atmosphere.
2024 PT5
- It was discovered on August 7 by the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS).
- It is about 33 feet long and too faint to be seen with the naked eye or amateur telescopes.
- Originates from the Arjuna asteroid belt, which contains space rocks with orbits similar to Earth's, about 150 million kms from the Sun.
- Some experts suggest it could be a fragment of the Moon, possibly a result of an impact ejecta.
What is a Mini-Moon?
- A mini-moon refers to an asteroid that gets temporarily captured by Earth’s gravity, orbiting it for a short time.
- These objects are typically small and difficult to detect and so far, only four mini-moons have been identified.
- Sometimes, what appears to be a mini-moon could actually be space debris, such as spacecraft or rocket stages.
Is 2024 PT5 Really a Mini-Moon?
- There is debate over whether 2024 PT5 qualifies as a mini-moon, as it will not complete a full orbit around Earth.
- Instead, it will follow a horseshoe-shaped trajectory, which may disqualify it as a true mini-moon.
Significance of the Event
- Observations of 2024 PT5 will provide scientists with valuable data on near-Earth asteroids.
- It will help refine understanding of potential asteroid impacts and the composition of asteroids.
- Future prospects include extracting valuable minerals and water from asteroids, which could one day be used as rocket fuel.
Prelims Takeaway
- Mini-Moon
- 2024 PT5
- Asteroids