2024 PT5


is a near-Earth object roughly in diameter discovered by Asteroid Terrestrial-impact [Last Alert System|ATLAS] South Africa, Sutherland on 7 August 2024, the day before approaching Earth at.

Orbit

The object orbits the Sun but makes slow close approaches to the Earth–Moon system. Between 29 September and 25 November 2024 it passed just outside Earth's Hill sphere at a low relative velocity and became temporarily captured by Earth's gravity, with a geocentric orbital eccentricity of less than 1 and negative geocentric orbital energy. The most recent closest approach to Earth was 8 August 2024 at roughly when it had a relative velocity of. It also approached Earth on 9 January 2025 at roughly when it had a relative velocity of.
On 18 August 2024 Center for [Near-Earth Object Studies|CNEOS] removed from their Sentry Risk Table, having determined it poses no risk of a potential Earth impact.
The object is expected to make another approach in 2055. This object will return to orbit around Earth in 2084 for about 43 days.
EpochEarth distanceGeocentric
eccentricity		ApogeeOrbital period
2024-Sep-291.016
2024-Sep-300.997
2024-Oct-240.614
2024-Nov-250.983
2024-Nov-261.009

Physical properties

Its color indices and the spectrum obtained with Gemini North best matches lunar rock samples followed by S-complex asteroids and has a rotation period of around 0.7h. Its visible spectrum obtained with GTC is consistent with that of an Sv-type asteroid or perhaps lunar ejecta. Its reflectance spectrum in the range obtained with LDT/IRTF is inconsistent with artificial objects and asteroids, its surface is quite red, well matched by samples of the Moon, both Maria and Highlands. Its spectrum is similar to that of Earth's quasi-satellite 469219 Kamoʻoalewa and Earth's minimoon.
In January 2025, scientists determined that is composed of ejecta from an impact on the Moon and also determined 's orbital path was dominantly heliocentric and so should not be considered a minimoon.