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Earth might gain another Moon, a miniature one, due to a rare phenomenon called gravitational trapping. Carlos de la Fuente Marcos and Raúl de la Fuente Marcos, researchers from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, have announced an intriguing celestial event. A small asteroid, named 2024 PT5, is set to become Earth’s temporary mini-moon for approximately two months starting later this month. Their findings, published in the Research Notes of the AAS, reveal that Earth frequently captures asteroids, albeit briefly. This new mini-moon is expected to make one orbit around our planet before continuing its journey through the solar system.

Details of the Asteroid

2024 PT5, a small asteroid with a diameter of about 10 metres, was first detected last month by the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System. Despite initial concerns, it has been confirmed that this asteroid is not on a collision course with Earth. The researchers used current measurements of its size, speed, and trajectory to predict that it will come close enough to Earth to be temporarily bound by its gravity.

The asteroid will complete one full orbit around Earth in 53 days, beginning at the end of this month and concluding around mid-November.

Origin and Characteristics

The researchers also estimated the asteroid’s origins, suggesting it is likely from the Arjuna asteroid belt. This belt is known for containing asteroids with orbits similar to Earth’s. The analysis indicates that 2024 PT5 is not space debris but rather an object of natural origin, given its trajectory resembles that of other natural celestial bodies.

Significance of the Discovery

The temporary capture of the Asteroid 2024 PT5 offers valuable insights into the dynamics of small asteroids and their interactions with Earth’s gravity. Historically, Earth has captured asteroids in similar ways; for instance, an asteroid orbited Earth for about a year in 2006, and another for several years before leaving in 2020.

This brief encounter with 2024 PT5 provides a unique opportunity for researchers to study such interactions and enhance our understanding of asteroid behaviour in our solar system.

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Chandrayaan-4 Mission Gets Approval, Will Return to Earth This Time

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September 19, 2024

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Chandrayaan-4 Mission Gets Approval, Will Return to Earth This Time

Chandrayaan-4 mission has received approval from the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday. This marks another significant milestone in India’s lunar exploration efforts. Unlike previous missions, Chandrayaan-4 will not only aim for a successful landing on the Moon but will also focus on returning to Earth. This mission will demonstrate critical technologies that will allow for lunar samples to be collected, brought back to Earth, and studied. It represents an essential leap toward India’s long-term goal of landing on the Moon with humans by 2040.

Chandrayaan-4 to Develop Return Technologies

Chandrayaan-4 follows the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission and aims to further advance India’s capabilities in space. The mission will focus on developing technologies essential for docking, undocking, landing, and safe return from the Moon. Collecting lunar samples will also be a key feature, as India moves closer to a full-scale manned mission in the coming decades. The government’s vision includes an Indian Space Station by 2035, followed by human landings on the Moon by 2040.

Mission Details and Industry Involvement

The mission will be completed within 36 months of approval, with ISRO leading the development and launch. It will involve participation from both industry and academia. A budget of ₹2104.06 crore has been allocated for spacecraft development, launch vehicle missions, and deep space support.

This includes costs for special tests and design validation. High employment potential is expected in associated sectors due to this mission.

Aiming for Self-Sufficiency in Space Technologies

Chandrayaan-4 is set to make India self-reliant in crucial space technologies, helping the nation prepare for future manned missions and lunar explorations. The mission will also involve science meets and workshops to include Indian academia and ensure significant contributions to the analysis of lunar samples.

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Ancient Barracks Unearthed With Egyptian Pharaoh Inscribed Sword

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September 19, 2024

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Ancient Barracks Unearthed With Egyptian Pharaoh Inscribed Sword

A recent excavation in Egypt has uncovered a 3,200-year-old military barracks containing a treasure trove of ancient artefacts, including a sword inscribed with the name of Pharaoh Ramesses II. This discovery sheds light on Egypt’s military operations during Ramesses II’s reign, a time when threats from the Libyans were growing. The barracks also contained storerooms for grain, ovens for baking, and pottery filled with animal bones, including fish. Additionally, archaeologists found cow burials at the site, leading experts to suggest these animals were used for food.

Discovery of Bronze Sword and Limestone Blocks

Among the most significant finds was a bronze sword inscribed with Ramesses II’s name, discovered in a small room near what might have been a defensive position. According to Ahmed El Kharadly, an archaeologist with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, this suggests the sword was intended for combat and not merely ceremonial use.

The excavation also uncovered two limestone blocks with hieroglyphic inscriptions, one bearing the name of Ramesses II and the other referring to an official named Bay.

Strategic Military Location

The barracks were located along a military road in the northwest Nile Delta, a strategic point where Egyptian forces could defend against potential invasions from the western desert and the Mediterranean. The location of this site aligns with historical accounts indicating rising tensions between Egypt and Libyan groups.

Professor Anthony Spalinger from the University of Auckland noted that the garrison likely played a key role in controlling access to Egypt during this period.

Significance of the Discovery

Peter Brand, a history professor at the University of Memphis, highlighted the importance of the find for understanding the military strategy of Ramesses II. This well-preserved barracks offers rare insights into the logistics of Egypt’s armed forces at the time.

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A Wobble from Mars? It Could Be Dark Matter, Study Reveals

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17 hours ago

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September 19, 2024

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A Wobble from Mars? It Could Be Dark Matter, Study Reveals

MIT physicists have put forward a theory that the wobble in Mars’ orbit could be caused by primordial black holes, which may constitute dark matter. According to the research, these tiny black holes formed after the Big Bang and could be passing through our solar system, affecting the orbit of planets like Mars. David Kaiser, a professor of physics at MIT, suggests that the technology we have today could detect this slight shift in Mars’ orbit, which would be a significant breakthrough in understanding dark matter.

The Role of Primordial Black Holes

The study published in the journal Physical Review D suggests that dark matter could be made up of these primordial black holes, which are different from those formed from collapsed stars. These microscopic black holes may exert enough gravitational force to impact planetary orbits.

MIT’s team, including David Kaiser and Sarah Geller, used simulations to predict that these black holes pass through the solar system every decade or so. Their calculations show that even a black hole the size of an asteroid could influence Mars’ orbit.

Detecting the Wobble

Mars is an ideal candidate for this study because of its precise telemetry data. Instruments currently track its position with an accuracy of about 10 centimetres. A passing primordial black hole would cause Mars to deviate slightly from its regular orbit. Sarah Geller, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Santa Cruz, told Phys.org that while Earth and the Moon might also be affected, the data for Mars is clearer, making it easier to detect any potential anomalies.

What This Could Mean for Dark Matter Research

If such a wobble is detected, it could confirm the presence of primordial black holes and offer new insights into dark matter. The research highlights the need for precise observations and collaboration with experts in solar system dynamics to explore this phenomenon further.

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