Researchers from the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain, have determined that the asteroid, named 2024 PT5, will be attracted by the Sun’s gravity. land It will enter the planet’s orbit starting on September 29.
The phenomenon, called a “minimoon,” was discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial Impact Alert System (ATLAS) in August. According to astronomers Carlos de la Fuente Marcos and Raul de la Fuente Marcos, who were responsible for the discovery, the asteroid will remain in Earth’s orbit for a short period, about 53 days. In other words, you should leave Earth on November 25.
According to the scientific journal Research Notes of AAS, 2024 PT5 is a “small object with a diameter of about 10 meters,” so it is difficult to see with the naked eye, like Earth. moon.
The US version of the technology site Gizmodo says that even some less powerful telescopes may have difficulty seeing 2024 PT5.
Scientists believe the asteroid likely originated in the Arjuna Belt, a region of objects with orbits close to Earth. After leaving the planet’s orbit, the small moon is expected to pass close to Earth again on January 9, 2025. Then, more than 30 years later, in 2055.
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