The Earth has officially obtained a second moon.
In a remarkable astronomical occurrence, Earth has temporarily gained a new companion in space, referred to as a mini-moon.
Asteroid 2024 PT5, which is about 33 feet (10 meters) in size, has been caught by Earth’s gravitational pull.
This small celestial object will orbit our planet for roughly two months, until November 25, 2024.
This latest “mini-moon” was first observed on August 7 by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS). Originating from the Arjuna asteroid belt—a region of space rocks that follow similar orbits to Earth—2024 PT5 won’t complete a full orbit around our planet. Instead, Earth’s gravity will slightly alter its course before it resumes its journey through the solar system.
To be classified as a mini-moon, an asteroid must approach Earth at a relatively slow speed, allowing it to be captured temporarily by our planet’s gravity and become a short-term natural satellite.
Such events are rare, offering scientists valuable insight into the behavior of near-Earth objects.
The asteroid was first detected by NASA’s ATLAS, an asteroid impact early warning system developed by the University of Hawaii. This system scans the entire sky multiple times each night in search of moving objects. Advanced telescopes located at observatories around the world will be able to track this unusual asteroid, now captured by Earth’s gravitational field.
Unfortunately, amateur astronomers won’t have an easy time spotting this mini-moon. Due to its small size and rapid movement, advanced software is required to track it accurately, making it a significant challenge for those using basic telescopes. Precise equipment is needed to keep up with its swift trajectory.
Given the asteroid’s small size, it is impossible to see it with the naked eye. Even for amateur telescopes and binoculars, this celestial visitor will remain too faint due to its dull rock composition, making it hard to observe.
This rare event is a reminder of the dynamic nature of our solar system and the constant discoveries being made. Mini-moons aren’t unheard of, with several having been observed in recent years. Notably, asteroid 2022 NX1 has made multiple appearances, acting as a temporary satellite in both 1981 and 2022.
For those who miss out on witnessing this mini-moon, there is another opportunity in the future. Asteroid 2024 PT5 is expected to return to Earth’s vicinity in 2055, giving astronomers yet another chance to study this intriguing space rock and further enhance our knowledge of near-Earth objects.
