Asteroid (NEO) 2024 PT5 : An Earth’s temporary "mini-moon".

Asteroid (NEO) 2024 PT5 is a near-Earth object (NEO) that has recently drawn attention due to its close approach to the Earth-Moon system and its orbital characteristics. This article will explore its visibility, distance from Earth, orbital elements, and its future close encounters.

Current Location and Visibility

As of now, Asteroid (NEO) 2024 PT5 is located in the constellation of Draco and is positioned 3,508,903.3 kilometers from Earth. Light from the asteroid takes 11.704 seconds to reach Earth. The object is visible from Mumbai, India, in the North-North-West direction at an altitude of 9.27° above the horizon. However, due to its faint apparent magnitude of 22.83, it can only be detected through long exposure photography.

Distance from Earth

• Distance: 3,508,903.3 km (0.02346 AU)
• Light Travel Time: 11.704 seconds

Orbital Elements

The table below summarizes the orbital elements of Asteroid (NEO) 2024 PT5 at epoch 16 October 2024 (data sourced from JPL Small-Body Database).

Orbital Characteristics

The asteroid's nearly circular orbit is characterized by an eccentricity of 0.0215 and a low inclination of 1.52°. It orbits the Sun at an average distance of 1.012 AU and takes 1.0185 years (372 days) to complete one orbit. The asteroid will reach its closest point to the Sun, or perihelion, on November 23, 2024.

Close Approaches to Earth

Between September 29 (19:54 UTC) and November 25, 2024 (16:43 UTC), Asteroid 2024 PT5 will make a slow, close approach to the Earth-Moon system, passing just outside Earth’s Hill sphere at a distance of 0.01 AU (approximately 1.5 million km). Its relative velocity will range from 0.002 km/s (4.5 mph) to 0.439 km/s (980 mph). During this period, the asteroid will become temporarily captured by Earth's gravity, with a geocentric orbital eccentricity of less than 1 and negative geocentric orbital energy.

Recent Closest Approach

On August 8, 2024, the asteroid made its most recent close approach to Earth at a distance of 567,000 km (352,000 miles), with a relative velocity of 1.37 km/s (3,100 mph). Following this event, on August 18, 2024, NASA’s CNEOS removed 2024 PT5 from its Sentry Risk Table, indicating that the asteroid poses no risk of impacting Earth.

Article summary

This article summarizes the asteroid’s orbit, visibility, and close encounters with Earth in 2024, giving a clear overview for both casual readers and those with a deeper interest in near-Earth objects. Let me know if you need further adjustments or additions!

Visit www.theskylive.com for more updates.