DNVN - A team of scientists has discovered the origin of an asteroid about the size of a bus, which has been present at the edge of Earth's orbit for the past two months.
According to the Daily Mail (UK), this asteroid is called 2024 PT5 and is dubbed Earth's temporary "second moon" due to its size and elongated presence close to our planet.
Data from astronomers shows that 2024 PT5 has been orbiting Earth for some time. They hypothesize that this asteroid may be a fragment from the Moon, created in a massive impact that damaged the Moon's surface with impact craters.
The prevailing view on the origin of the Moon is known as the “giant impact hypothesis,” which explains that the Moon formed from a large fragment orbiting the Earth.
According to this theory, about 4 billion years ago, our planet collided with a celestial body roughly the size of Mars. The collision ejected fragments of Earth into space, and these fragments gradually coalesced to form the Moon.
If the above hypotheses, along with an analysis of the origin of asteroid 2024 PT5, are confirmed, it could be asserted that the Moon is indeed the "parent" of this asteroid, while Earth is the "grandparent".
The "second moon" began moving away from Earth's orbit on November 25th after being pulled into space by the Sun's gravitational pull.
Professor Carlos de la Fuente Marcos, the lead author of the study from Complutense University of Madrid, stated: "There is considerable evidence to suggest that this asteroid may have originated from the Moon."
He commented: “Current research indicates that 2024 PT5 is rotating rapidly with a rotation period of less than 1 hour. This could be predicted if 2024 PT5 is a large rock from the lunar surface or a fragment from a larger object.”
This asteroid was first discovered in August and was pulled into orbit by Earth's gravity in September. 2024 PT5 comes from the Arjuna asteroid belt, a group of asteroids orbiting the Sun at an average distance of 150 million km, with orbits similar to Earth's.
Carlos de la Fuente Marcos told Space.com: “Some objects in the Arjuna asteroid belt could approach Earth at a close distance, only about 4.5 million kilometers, at relatively low speeds of under 3,540 km/h.”
According to NASA, 2024 PT5 never actually entered our planet's orbit. Therefore, technically, this asteroid is not considered a true moon, but it is still an "interesting object" worth studying.
Professor Carlos de la Fuente Marcos added that, in order to be recognized as a minor moon, the asteroid must approach Earth within 4.5 million kilometers at a relatively slow speed, approximately 3,540 km/hour.
During its two months orbiting Earth in a horseshoe shape, 2024 PT5 provided astronomers with ample time to study it.
It is projected that in January 2025, 2024 PT5 will approach Earth again at a distance of just 1.7 million kilometers, before leaving orbit and not returning until 2055.
Professor Carlos de la Fuente Marcos commented: “I wouldn’t be really sad to see 2024 PT5 disappear. Small moons come and go as they please. I’m just waiting for the next one. That wait won’t be long. The next one could be in a few months. The ongoing Near-Earth Object surveys are now sensitive enough to collect these objects regularly.”
Linh Chi (compiled)
Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/cong-nghe/he-lo-su-that-ve-mat-trang-thu-hai-tam-thoi-cua-trai-dat/20241127091748918
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