Earth’s New Cosmic Companion: 2024 PT5
In a captivating turn of cosmic events, Earth has gained a temporary companion, a so-called “mini-moon,” now designated as 2024 PT5. This baby asteroid, comparable in size to a school bus, entered Earth’s orbit on September 29, 2024, and will remain nearby for about two months.
Discovery of the Mini-Moon
Astronomers Carlos de la Fuente Marcos and Raúl de la Fuente Marcos, based in Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, made the discovery of this celestial body. Measuring approximately 33 feet (10 meters) in diameter, they identified it within data collected by the Asteroid Terrestrial-
impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), using a dedicated telescope at the Sutherland Observing Station in South Africa.
This same telescope was used in the discovery of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3), which is currently visible in the night sky.
“Earth can regularly capture asteroids from the Near-Earth object (NEO) population and pull them into orbit, making them mini-moons,” Carlos and Raúl de la Fuente Marcos wrote in a paper published in the Research Notes of the AAS (2024).
Unique Characteristics of 2024 PT5
What makes this mini-moon unique? It has a horseshoe-shaped orbit, coming within about 40,000 km of Earth. Due to its small size and distance, it cannot be seen with the naked eye, binoculars, or even standard telescopes. However, it can be photographed using telescopes with an aperture of at least 30 inches, combined with digital detectors.
Observation Opportunities in Texas Several observatories in Texas are preparing to offer opportunities for those interested in
viewing 2024 PT5:
– McDonald Observatory (Fort Davis) Located at 3640 Dark Sky Dr, Fort Davis, TX 79734, the McDonald Observatory frequently organizes stargazing sessions for the public and students, making it an ideal setting to observe and possibly capture this mini-moon.
– Houston Museum of Natural Science Situated at 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, this museum is renowned for its
engaging space programs. They conduct viewing nights where families can use the museum’s telescopes to explore the night sky.
Texas A&M University Observatory (College Station) can be found at Fishtank Rd, College Station, TX 77845; this observatory conducts public observations with state-of-the-art equipment, allowing guests to witness astronomical events. Visitors interested in observing 2024 PT5 are encouraged to frequently check the websites or follow the social media accounts of these observatories for updates on sightings and activities.
The Ever-Changing Solar System
The discovery of 2024 PT5 shows evidence that our solar system is in constant movement. While we may not always notice it, there are always significant events occurring beyond our planet. This mini-moon will orbit Earth until November 25, 2024, offering an amazing opportunity to witness an extraordinary cosmic event from our own backyard.
SOURCES
NASA’s Planetary Radar Tracks Two Large Asteroid Close Approaches
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2515-5172/ad781f
Earth Is Temporarily Getting a “Mini-Moon” That Will Orbit Our Planet for the Next Two Months
