Earth is set to temporarily capture a small asteroid, named 2024 PT5, from September 29 to November 25. Discovered by NASA’s ATLAS system, this 10-meter-wide asteroid will make a horseshoe-shaped path around Earth but will not complete a full orbit.Similar to asteroid 2022 NX1, 2024 PT5 is a natural object, likely originating from the Arjuna asteroid belt.
While Earth has previously captured asteroids into its orbit, sometimes for complete revolutions, PT5 will escape after 53 days. This brief encounter offers a rare glimpse into Earth’s interactions with space, showcasing how our planet can influence nearby celestial objects.
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