Astronomers at the Carnegie Institution of Science have discovered the fastest
meteor (asteroid) in our solar system that completes one revolution around the sun
in just 113 days.
It should be noted that the planet Mercury completes one orbit around the Sun in
less time, i.e. in just 88 days, however, firstly it is a planet and secondly its
orbit is very stable.
In contrast, the newly discovered astronomical body is a meteorite with a very
irregular or elliptical orbit.
As a result, it travels in its orbit at a distance of only 20 million kilometers
from the Sun. This distance is less than the average distance of Mercury from the
Sun (47 million km).
On the other hand, at its extreme distance from the Sun, its distance (from the Sun)
is more than 110 million kilometers, which is more than the orbit of the planet
Venus (Venus).
The meteorite, about one kilometer in size, has been discovered by Scott Shepard
and his colleagues, who have named it "2021 PH27".
He added that when it passes very close to the sun, not only does it accelerate,
but its surface also becomes extremely hot and its temperature is around 500
degrees Celsius arrives.
The discovery of "2021 pH27" has been confirmed with the help of several powerful
binoculars.
Given its bizarre orbit, astronomers say it may have occurred in the "asteroid belt"
millions of years ago. (This belt of countless small and large meteors is located
between Mars and Jupiter.)
However, for some reason its orbit was affected and it changed its course.
Its current orbit is also very unstable, so it is very possible that in the next
few million years it will collide with Venus, Mercury or the Sun and end its
existence forever. Or go into a completely different orbit than your current orbit.
Scott Shepherd says that the discovery of such strange celestial bodies will help
us to understand the origin and evolution of meteors and comets and will be able
to better understand our own solar system. ۔
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