One of the most beloved stars that we have in the atmosphere is clearly the moon, a satellite that serves to give some light when the sun is positioned on the other side of the world, and it has drawn attention that certain planets have beyond one, being a visual spectacle that may be unprecedented. And now, it has been confirmed that something special will happen in our orbit shortly, and it will undoubtedly be a source of enjoyment for those who are space enthusiasts.
Over the next two months, Earth will have an extra “minimoon” temporarily orbiting our planet. This phenomenon is caused by an asteroid called 2024 PT5recently discovered by scientists from the Complutense University of Madrid. Unlike our usual satellite, these minimoons are not permanent, but rather space objects that are momentarily trapped in Earth’s orbit due to gravitational attraction.
The asteroid 2024 PT5 It will be in orbit around the Earth from September 29 to November 25, providing a unique opportunity for observation. Although it has been ruled out as space debris, this asteroid is similar to others that occasionally become trapped by Earth’s gravity before continuing their journey through the solar system.
Minimoons like 2024 PT5 They usually have short stays around Earth, but their presence is valuable to scientists. Studying these objects can provide key information about the formation and composition of asteroids, which in turn helps to better understand the origins of the solar system and, ultimately, our own planet.
This type of research has been the objective of several space missions, such as OSIRIS-Rex of NASA and missions Hayabusa from Japan, who have explored asteroids at great distances. However, the temporary arrival of 2024 PT5 offers a special opportunity to study one of these objects without needing to send a mission that far away.
Via: opscience
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