2024 PT5
Template:Mp is a near-Earth object roughly Template:Convert in diameter discovered by ATLAS South Africa, Sutherland on 7 August 2024, the day before approaching Earth at Template:Cvt.[1]
Orbit
The object orbits the Sun but makes slow close approaches to the Earth–Moon system. Between 29 September (19:54 UTC) and 25 November 2024 (16:43 UTC) (a period of Template:Time interval)[2] it passed just outside Earth's Hill sphere (roughly Template:Convert) at a low relative velocity (in the range Template:Convert – Template:Convert) and became temporarily captured by Earth's gravity, with a geocentric orbital eccentricity of less than 1[3] and negative geocentric orbital energy.[4] The most recent closest approach to Earth was 8 August 2024 at roughly Template:Cvt when it had a relative velocity of Template:Convert.[5] It also approached Earth on 9 January 2025 at roughly Template:Cvt when it had a relative velocity of Template:Convert.[5]
On 18 August 2024 CNEOS removed Template:Mp from their Sentry Risk Table, having determined it poses no risk of a potential Earth impact.[6]
The object is expected to make another approach in 2055.[7] This object will return to orbit around Earth in 2084 for about 43 days.[8][9]
| Epoch | Earth distance[10] | Geocentric eccentricity[3] |
Apogee[3] | Orbital period[3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-Sep-29 | Template:Convert | 1.016 | ||
| 2024-Sep-30 | Template:Convert | 0.997 | Template:Convert | Template:Convert |
| 2024-Oct-24 | Template:Convert | 0.614 | Template:Convert | Template:Convert |
| 2024-Nov-25 | Template:Convert | 0.983 | Template:Convert | Template:Convert |
| 2024-Nov-26 | Template:Convert | 1.009 |
Physical properties
Its color indices and the spectrum obtained with Gemini North best matches lunar rock samples followed by S-complex asteroids and has a rotation period of around 0.7h.[11] Its visible spectrum obtained with GTC is consistent with that of an Sv-type asteroid or perhaps lunar ejecta.[9][12] Its reflectance spectrum in the range Template:Convert obtained with LDT/IRTF is inconsistent with artificial objects and asteroids, its surface is quite red, well matched by samples of the Moon, both Maria and Highlands.[13][14] Its spectrum is similar to that of Earth's quasi-satellite 469219 Kamoʻoalewa Template:Mp[14][9] and Earth's minimoon Template:Mp.[9]
In January 2025, scientists determined that 2024 PT5 is composed of ejecta from an impact on the Moon and also determined 2024 PT5's orbital path was dominantly heliocentric and so should not be consider a minimoon.[15]
See also
- Template:MplTemplate:Snd near-Earth asteroid temporarily captured by Earth after its discovery in 1991
- Template:MplTemplate:Snd the first temporary Earth satellite discovered in situ 2006
- Template:MplTemplate:Snd another temporary Earth satellite discovered in 2020
- Template:MplTemplate:Snd another temporary Earth satellite discovered in 2022
- 2020 SOTemplate:Snd a suspected near-Earth object identified as a rocket booster from the 1966 Surveyor 2 mission
- 469219 Kamoʻoalewa Template:MpTemplate:Snd a quasi-satellite of Earth of probable Lunar origin
- Arjuna asteroid
References
Template:2024 in space Template:Portal bar Template:Authority control
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