Scientists said that the asteroid “2024 PT5”, which since September has been in the orbit of the Earth as a “mini-satellite”, began to leave orbit under the influence of the gravity of the Sun. After rapprochement with the Earth in January 2025, the asteroid will not be observed until 2055.
As the Guardian writes, an asteroid the size of a bus, which is supposed to break from the moon as a result of a collision with a meteorite of a century ago, moved in orbit at a distance of about 3.2 million kilometers from the ground.
Asteroid, which is currently monitored through the NASA long -cosmic communication network, is not visible to the naked eye, but can be observed using powerful telescopes.
It is reported that “2024 PT5”, rotating in orbit at a distance nine times the distance from the ground to the moon, does not pose a threat, because it will not be pulled to the ground.
“2024 PT5” allegedly broke away from the moon
Researcher from the NASA planetary protection office, Josh Handal, noted that previously neglected missiles are also on such orbit, but the 2024 PT5 movement indicates its natural origin.
“taking into account the similarity of the asteroid ‘movement’ 2024 PT5 ‘and our planet, scientists at the center of study of NASA near -Earth objects suggest that it can be a large fragment of the lunar breed that has broken off as a result of an ancient collision with an asteroid,” said Handal.
Rastification in January 2025 and return in 2055
Asteroid “2024 PT5”, which turned out to be under the influence of the gravity of the Sun, in January 2025 will again pass near the Earth. NASA plans to use the Sunny and Planetary Radar Goldstone, located in the California desert Mohava, to study it.
Astrophysicist of the University of Madrid, Raul de la Fuante Marcos, said that the asteroid “2024 PT5”, starting in September, moved in orbit in the form of horseshoes around the Earth. According to him, the speed of the object will increase significantly under the influence of the gravity of the sun, and during the January rapprochement it will double.
After the completion of one turn around the Sun, the asteroid will return in 2055 and will make one round around the Earth again.
“2024 PT5” was first discovered on August 7 using a telescope of the early warning system about earthly clashes with asteroids (ATlas), financial NASA and located in Saramland (South Africa).