Ali Schulz
Editor-in-Chief
There is a small asteroid joining earth’s atmosphere until Nov. 25, nicknamed the new “mini-moon.” While it can not be seen by the naked eye, larger telescopes may be able to pick it up.
The asteroid “dubbed 2024 PT5,” according to NBC News, is expected to stay in earth’s orbit for about 56 days.
According to Northeastern Global News, this “mini-moon” is actually a “small asteroid- only 33 meters across.”
Because of its small size, it does not pose any risk to earth. The asteroid has temporarily been picked up by earth’s gravitational pull but will not do a complete orbit like our regular moon does and will leave to continue its path around the sun shortly.
Although this seems rare, it is actually a relatively common occurrence. According to astronomy teacher Greg Heard, “Earth has likely ‘captured’ millions of rocky objects throughout the formation of our solar system.”
Heard added, “Another small mini-moon just broke away from earth’s gravitational influence in 2020 after orbiting for nearly three years.”
This asteroid was “named 2020 CD3,” according to NBC News.
However, for all those disappointed they can not see 2020 CD3 or 2024 PT5, there is an opportunity to see an asteroid in 2029. The asteroid Apophis, is “named after the ancient Egyption and ‘Lord of Chaos,’” Northeastern Global News said.
Although, after lots of observation of Apophis, NASA concluded that “A risk of impact [with earth] in 2029 has been ruled out, as was the potential impact risk posed by another close approach [to earth] in 2036.”
Astronomy students will discuss asteroid 2024 PT5 in class as questions about it come up. Students with questions can also visit Heard in room 374 to learn more. One can also research this event on their own through trusted scientific sources.
The coolest thing about events like this is “that it reminds us that our solar system is dynamic (changing). The solar system is evolving from when it first began forming nearly five billion years ago,” Heard concluded.
Public Domain Feature Photo from NASA Eyes on Asteroids
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Ali Schulz- Editor-in-ChiefThis will be Ali Schulz’s third year on ECHO Staff. She also made several contributions while taking journalism class her freshman year. She was opinion/news editor her first year on staff |
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