The 33-foot-wide asteroid, named 2024 PT5, is set to orbit Earth for about two months before moving on. Its discovery highlights both the excitement and potential of near-Earth objects.
Researchers from the Complutense University of Madrid confirmed that 2024 PT5 would temporarily reside in Earth's gravitational field, making its orbit from September 29 to November 25.
Tony Dunn shared an animation illustrating the mini-moon's trajectory, emphasizing the importance of observing such near-Earth objects for further understanding of asteroid dynamics and their origins.
The trajectory of 2024 PT5 suggests it originated from the Arjuna asteroid belt, showcasing how these mini-moons can provide insights into the surrounding solar system.
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