Earth has caught a 'second moon'
NASA announced that Earth will temporarily capture asteroid 2024 PT5 as a "second moon" from September 29 to November 25, 2024. The asteroid measures 37 feet in diameter.
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NASA scientists have announced that Earth is set to capture a temporary "second moon," a small asteroid designated 2024 PT5, on September 29, 2024. This asteroid, part of the Arjuna asteroid belt, typically orbits the sun but will be briefly captured by Earth's gravity. The capture is expected to begin at 15:54 EDT and end at 11:43 EDT on November 25, 2024. Unlike Earth's permanent moon, which has been in orbit for approximately 4 billion years, 2024 PT5 will not complete a full orbit around Earth and is significantly smaller, measuring about 37 feet in diameter compared to the moon's 2,159 miles. While the event of capturing such mini-moons is not uncommon, with several documented occurrences in the past, 2024 PT5 will be too dim for amateur telescopes but may be observable by professional astronomers using larger equipment. After its brief stay, the asteroid will return to its orbit around the sun.
- Earth will temporarily capture a small asteroid, 2024 PT5, as a "second moon."
- The capture event will occur from September 29 to November 25, 2024.
- 2024 PT5 is significantly smaller than the moon, measuring only 37 feet in diameter.
- Such temporary captures of asteroids are relatively common, with several documented in the past.
- The asteroid will not be visible to amateur astronomers but may be observed by professionals.
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- Many commenters question the terminology, arguing that a 37-foot asteroid cannot be considered a true moon.
- Some express skepticism about the concept of "capture," noting that the asteroid's trajectory is already known.
- There are humorous critiques of NASA's analogies used to describe the asteroid's interaction with Earth.
- Several users are interested in tracking the asteroid's location in the night sky.
- Comments reflect a general curiosity about the classification of celestial objects and the implications of such terminology.
11 commentsIs it a NASA thing to deploy outrageously absurd analogies for no apparent reason? Is there a checkout desk for space objects?
https://genius.com/The-b-52s-theres-a-moon-in-the-sky-called...
Is the article implying that we don't know the Moon's (I assume they're referring to the capital-M one) diameter to at least kilometer-precision...?
https://petapixel.com/2023/01/26/these-are-the-highest-resol...
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An asteroid named 99942 Apophis will pass close to Earth in 2029, posing no threat for the next century. NASA and ESA plan missions to study the 375-meter asteroid during this rare event.
Discovered June 16th, large asteroid to pass between Earth and moon on Saturday
An asteroid named 2024 MK, over 120 meters wide, will pass close to Earth. Despite no impact threat, it underscores the need for asteroid monitoring. Astronomers will study it using radar telescopes.
Small asteroid to hit Earth's atmosphere today
A small asteroid, CAQTDL2, about 1 meter wide, will enter Earth's atmosphere over the Philippines today, creating a fireball, though visibility may be affected by tropical storm Yagi/Enteng.
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