MINI MOON 2024 PT5
Discovery and Characteristics
- Discovery: The object was identified by a team of scientists who specialize in studying "mini-moon events." Their routine observations of newly discovered space objects led to the recognition of its unusual dynamic properties.
- Origin: 2024 PT5 is associated with the Arjuna asteroid belt, which consists of asteroids with orbits that closely mirror that of Earth. This asteroid belt orbits the sun at an average distance of about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers).
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Mini-moons are small asteroids that cannot break free from Earth's gravitational pull, leading them to orbit the planet temporarily. They are typically very small and difficult to detect.
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2024 PT5 is the fifth identified mini-moon of Earth, also categorized as a Near-Earth Object (NEO). The first mini-moon, 1991 VG, was discovered in 1991.
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The discovery of 2024 PT5 was made possible through the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS).
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This mini-moon is believed to have originated from the Arjuna asteroid belt, which is a secondary belt consisting of space rocks that have orbits closely resembling that of Earth, located about 150 million kilometers from the Sun.
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The diameter of mini-moon 2024 PT5 is estimated to be about 10 meters (33 feet), making it invisible to the naked eye; it can only be observed with specialized telescopes.
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While Earth has experienced mini-moons before, such occurrences are rare. Numerous asteroids come close to Earth each year, but only a select few are captured by its gravity, as most are either too small or travel too far away.
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Some scientists propose that 2024 PT5 may not qualify as a mini-moon since it won't complete a full orbit around Earth. Instead, it will follow a horseshoe trajectory for approximately 55 days before escaping Earth's gravity without completing a full revolution.
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Monitoring 2024 PT5 will enhance scientific understanding of asteroids that approach Earth and those that occasionally collide with it. Many of these asteroids contain valuable resources, including minerals and water, which companies are interested in extracting for uses such as rocket fuel
- Mini-moon events can be categorized into two types. The first type consists of extended periods during which an asteroid makes one or more orbits around Earth, with these gravitational interactions lasting for one or more years.
- The second type involves shorter engagements where the small body does not complete a full orbit, lasting only days, weeks, or a few months.
- For an object to be classified as a mini-moon, it must approach Earth at a close distance of approximately 2.8 million miles (4.5 million km) and at a slow speed of about 2,200 mph (3,540 km/h). Short mini-moon events, like the upcoming one, occur relatively frequently, with several such events occurring every decade.
- In contrast, long capture episodes are uncommon, with Earth experiencing one approximately every ten to twenty years. The gravitational disturbances from the Sun are responsible for ejecting these objects from Earth’s vicinity.
- Once 2024 PT5 has completed its brief stint as a mini-moon, it will revert to an orbit centered around the Sun, remaining part of the Arjuna asteroid belt
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Lunar Phases: The Moon goes through different phases based on its position relative to the Earth and the Sun. These phases include the new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter, occurring over a 29.5-day lunar cycle.
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Tidal Effects: The gravitational pull of the Moon is responsible for creating ocean tides on Earth. Its gravitational force causes the water levels to rise and fall, resulting in high and low tides.
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Lunar Maria: The dark, flat areas on the Moon's surface are called "maria" (Latin for "seas"). They were formed by ancient volcanic activity and are less cratered than the lighter areas, indicating they are younger in geological terms.
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Water Ice at the Poles: Scientists have discovered evidence of water ice in permanently shadowed craters at the Moon's poles. This ice could potentially be a vital resource for future lunar exploration and even support human habitation.
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Lunar Eclipses: A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth's shadow to fall on the Moon. This can only happen during a full moon and can result in a dramatic reddening of the Moon, often referred to as a "blood moon."
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For Prelims: Asteroids, Super Moon, Blue Moon
For Mains: GS III - Science & Technology
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Previous Year Questions
1.What is the purpose of the US Space Agency’s Themis Mission, which was recently in the news? (UPSC 2008)
A. To study the possibility of life on Mars
B. To study the satellites of Saturn
C. To study the colorful display of high-latitude skies
D. To build a space laboratory to study the stellar explosions
Answer (C)
The THEMIS (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms) mission by NASA is focused on understanding the dynamics of auroras and the processes that cause the colorful displays in the high-latitude regions of the Earth’s atmosphere
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