Ploonet refers to the objects in space which is caught in the middle between a moon and a planet.
Ploonet: Explained
- Researchers have discovered a new type of object in the form of a moon which starts its life around massive planets. Over time it moves to a different zone as it starts to change and then they will pursue a single orbit around the host star
- Astronomers have observed a large number of giant exoplanets classified as hot Jupiters being located very close to their host stars.
- Some computer simulations have inferred that massive planets could migrate closer to their stars.
- During the migration stage, their power will increase as the planet goes closer to the final position near the star.
- When a planet gets too close to the host star, the gravity of the latter could push some of the moons into a new orbit around the central star, changing their status to ploonets.
- If these ploonets manage to collect some material as they travel, they may evolve into fully-fledged small planets.
Will Earth’s Moon become a Planet?
Earth’s moon has started to distance itself at a slow speed and it is estimated that it could become a ploonet in 5 billion years. But the chances are a bit slim because the sun will become a red giant within the same timeframe, and it will burn anything in its path as it will expand beyond the current orbit of Earth.