On Monday, 25 November 2024, Earth’s temporary mini-moon, designated 2024 PT5, left the planet’s gravitational pull after a brief but scientifically significant stay in orbit.
Story Summary:
- Earth’s temporary mini-moon, 2024 PT5, left orbit on 25 November 2024, after being captured earlier this year.
- The asteroid, measuring about 6-9 feet, provided insights into gravitational dynamics and near-Earth objects.
- Astronomers anticipate its return in the coming decades, although recapture is uncertain.
Earth had a second mini-moon and it left our orbit this week
Discovered earlier this year by astronomers using the Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona, this celestial object is an asteroid, not an artificial satellite.
Its departure marks the end of its time as Earth’s temporary celestial companion.
Mini-moons like 2024 PT5 are small natural objects that Earth’s gravity temporarily captures.
Unlike our permanent Moon, these objects do not have stable orbits. Instead, they follow looping paths around the Earth and Sun, typically for weeks or months, before being ejected back into independent solar orbits.
2024 PT5, which measures about 6 to 9 feet in diameter, was first identified in August 2024.
Despite its small size, astronomers closely tracked its orbit to study its behaviour and trajectory. The asteroid orbited Earth while also moving around the Sun, behaving as a quasi-satellite.
The mini-moon’s discovery and subsequent observations provide valuable data for understanding the dynamics of near-Earth objects (NEOs) and their interactions with our planet’s gravitational field.
Here’s when it will return
Astronomers predict that 2024 PT5 could return to Earth’s vicinity within a few decades.
However, it is unclear whether it will be captured as a mini-moon again.
Its trajectory will depend on a range of factors, including the asteroid’s velocity, its interactions with other celestial bodies, and the influence of the Sun’s gravity.
The study of mini-moons like 2024 PT5 offers exciting opportunities for scientific discovery.
These small objects could be future targets for asteroid mining or exploration missions.
By analysing their composition and behaviour, scientists can glean insights into the early solar system and improve techniques for tracking NEOs.
