ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ ОРБІТИ ТИМЧАСОВОГО СУПУТНИКА ЗЕМЛІ АСТЕРОЇДА 2024 PT5

This study investigates the gravitational influence of the major planets and the Moon on the orbital dynamics and mechanical energy of near-Earth asteroid 2024 PT5 during its temporary capture by Earth. Discovered on 7 August 2024 by the ATLAS Sutherland survey, the asteroid transitioned onto an elliptical geocentric orbit in late September 2024 and returned to a heliocentric trajectory in mid-November 2024. The primary objective is to determine which massive bodies of the Solar System specifically the Moon and the nearest planets facilitated the capture process, induced changes in the asteroid’s total mechanical energy during the capture phase, and provided the key perturbations leading to its escape from Earth’s gravitational field. High-precision geocentric ephemerides and osculating orbital elements were obtained from the JPL Horizons service. Numerical analyses of the time series for kinetic, potential, and total mechanical energy, as well as eccentricity, were performed to characterize both the capture and release phases. Particular attention was given to the temporal correlations between the asteroid’s close approaches to the Moon and to the major planets, and the corresponding variations in its orbital elements. This approach isolates the intervals during which 2024 PT5 experienced the most pronounced dynamical changes, thereby informing targeted numerical simulations. The methodology includes a detailed statement of the problem and computational procedure, including the criteria used to define the start and end of the temporary satellite phase and efforts to identify the bodies exerting the strongest gravitational influence. The results lay the groundwork for developing a general algorithm to assess the probability of capture for any near-Earth object, and to evaluate its potential hazard or scientific value for future sample-return missions. Application of these techniques promises to enhance the precision of asteroid trajectory forecasts and to support ongoing planetary defense initiatives.