‘Earth’s secret moon’: Scientists unravel the bizarre mystery of asteroid PT5

Produced by: Manoj Kumar Representative pic

Lunar Mystery

[{"selector":"#anim-72e09140-6f6a-4f53-89cc-7d03b94e063b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.51325559545727%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] A tiny asteroid, NEA 2024 PT5, has raised questions about its origin—possibly a fragment from the moon. Representative pic

Asteroid Traits

[{"selector":"#anim-3f81c4bc-7f9f-4a3a-a5c9-d24594b2d1a5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(26.932076140109825%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Discovered in August 2024, PT5’s silicate-rich composition rules out an artificial origin. Representative pic

Reflectance Clues

[{"selector":"#anim-11bc1e3b-f13f-4f18-9fd4-8cb4f6fd2525 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(12.499999772451451%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Lowell Discovery Telescope revealed PT5’s reflectance spectrum matches lunar samples, unlike typical asteroids.

Rare Find

[{"selector":"#anim-d2cbbc38-c272-443e-a229-68e8973eb365 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] If confirmed, PT5 would be only the second near-Earth asteroid identified as lunar ejecta. Representative pic

Population Hints

[{"selector":"#anim-c393d06c-9a90-42bf-a8b3-f7b2e741897e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Researchers estimate 5-10 times more lunar fragments could exist in near-Earth asteroid populations. Representative pic

Impact Insight

[{"selector":"#anim-9de133e5-ee80-4c30-88dd-e563e1545117 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(21.874999829338595%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Lunar-origin asteroids like PT5 could reveal the history of impacts on the moon and terrestrial planets. Representative pic

Future Studies

[{"selector":"#anim-1c95a7fb-5ed4-4ee7-ac31-c80adb20ebe9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-26.510416524132786%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Larger telescopes and advanced techniques will be key to identifying more lunar-sourced asteroids. Representative pic

Scientific Credit

[{"selector":"#anim-3a5e603b-536b-4a0d-bd09-cb6de40a0fa7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0.952550314205326%, 15.859962506145319%) scale(1.3571428571428572)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The study, led by Theodore Kareta (Lowell Observatory) and Oscar Fuentes-Munoz (NASA JPL), is available on the arXiv preprint server. Representative pic

Next Encounter

[{"selector":"#anim-2ae4cdb9-beee-4d18-95eb-3a1c55c6b06f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-26.920001671646627%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] PT5 will pass near Earth again this month, with NASA planning to study its trajectory and characteristics further. Representative pic

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