Scientists have discovered a small asteroid in Earth’s orbit

Recently, scientists have discovered a small asteroid that has temporarily entered Earth’s orbit. Named 2024 PT5, this object is known as a “small moon” and probably has a common origin with Earth’s moon.

According to Tekna Technology Media’s astronomy news service, according to existing theories, the Earth’s moon was formed by the impact of a very large celestial body on the Earth billions of years ago. The materials resulting from this collision were dispersed in space and eventually formed the moon. Asteroid 2024 PT5 may also be one of these fragments from the Moon that was in the Arjuna asteroid belt and has now temporarily returned to Earth’s orbit.

According to Tekna Technology Media Technology News Department, the very high rotation speed of this asteroid indicates that it may be a large piece of the moon’s surface or a larger celestial body. Spectroscopic studies show that the asteroid’s chemical composition is very similar to samples collected from the Moon by the Apollo and Luna missions. Asteroid 2024 PT5 entered Earth orbit on September 29, 2024 and will remain in Earth orbit until November 25, 2024. After that, due to the influence of the sun’s gravity, it will leave Earth’s orbit and return to the Arjuna asteroid belt.

The Arjuna asteroid belt is a sub-belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun at a distance roughly equal to the distance from the Earth to the Sun. Many of the asteroids in this belt may have a lunar origin and were thrown into space by ancient collisions with the moon. The discovery of asteroid 2024 PT5 will help scientists better understand the history of the formation of the solar system and the Earth’s moon. Also, this discovery provides an opportunity to study the ingredients of the moon in terrestrial laboratories.

Scientists plan to use radar to study the asteroid when it approaches Earth again in January 2025. These studies can provide scientists with valuable information about the origin, composition and history of this celestial body. The discovery of asteroid 2024 PT5 shows that the study of small celestial objects can provide us with valuable information about the history of the Solar System and larger objects such as the Moon. By continuing research in this field, we can achieve a better understanding of the origin and evolution of the solar system. To see the latest news, refer to the scientific news page of Tekna Media.