2024-09-25 01:46:41
washington: From the end of September to the end of November this year, a mini-moon will orbit the Earth for about a month. It has been named 2024 PT5. Due to this, two moons will be visible in space from the Earth. However, this mini-moon cannot be seen with the naked eye, a high-powered telescope will be needed to see it. This mini-moon i.e. 2024 PT5 is only 10 meters (33 feet) in diameter. This asteroid, 2024 PT5, was discovered in August this year.
According to CNN report, mini-moons are asteroids that come into orbit around the planet due to the gravity of the Earth and they remain in it until they separate and move away again. The duration of these mini-moons in orbit depends on the speed at which they approach the Earth. Most of the mini-moons that enter the Earth’s orbit are difficult to see. This is because they are very small and do not have enough brightness to be visible against the dark background of space.
What exactly is a mini-moon?
Mini-moons are extremely rare. These asteroids are usually trapped in Earth’s orbit by gravity only once every 10 to 20 years. However, in recent years it has been discovered that they can remain in the exosphere, which is about 10,000 km (6,200 mi) above Earth’s surface. On average, mini-moons orbit Earth for anywhere from a few months to two years. After that, they are detached from Earth’s gravitational pull, then head back into space to resume a trajectory away from the planet.
Like other rocky bodies in space, mini-moons may be made up of a mixture of metallic materials, carbon, clay and silicate materials. According to a 2018 mini-moon study published in the Swiss journal Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, most mini-moons come to Earth from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Unlike Earth’s permanent moon, mini-moons do not have stable orbits.
Mini moon was also seen in 2006
Mini-moons are usually rare, but in recent years several such asteroids have been identified within Earth’s orbit. A mini-moon named 2006 RH120 was captured in Earth’s orbit for a year. It was the only mini-moon to be photographed. The Southern African Large Telescope was used to photograph it.
According to the report, the 2022 NX1 mini-moon, with a diameter between 5 and 15 metres, was first observed in 1981, and was seen again in 2002. It is expected to return to Earth’s orbit in 2051 to again adopt a horseshoe-shaped orbital path.