Scientists have calculated when the Sun will burn up the “mini-moon” that has appeared above the Earth
Astronomers have revealed the fate of the “mini-moon” that began moving toward the Sun on November 25.
Scientists have been observing this object since September of this year. They have calculated the time when the Sun will burn this object.
Asteroid 2024 PT5 has been dubbed a "mini-moon," The Guardian reports.
Researchers believe the object is believed to have broken off from the moon centuries ago and is about the size of a bus.
The asteroid is currently 3.2 million km from Earth. This is 9 times the distance to the Moon.
Astronomers have calculated that the object will not approach the Earth at a distance at which it will be affected by gravity.
What will happen is that the asteroid will make a “farewell” pass at a distance of 1.7-1.8 million km from Earth, and then will be pushed into space, where it will be burned by the Sun by 2055.
For reference
The Moon is the only natural satellite of the Earth, the closest satellite of the planet to the Sun.
