Earth’s Temporary Second Moon: A Mini-Asteroid to Orbit Our Planet
For a short period of time, Earth is set to gain a temporary second moon! This unique event will happen when a small asteroid, named 2024 PT5, is captured by our planet’s gravity. This “mini-moon” will begin its journey around Earth on September 29, 2024, and will remain in orbit until November 25, 2024.
This celestial visitor, however, is not like our usual Moon. While our natural satellite is thousands of miles wide and visible in the night sky, 2024 PT5 is much smaller—only about 33 feet (10 meters) wide—making it extremely difficult to see without professional telescopes. During its 57-day stay, this mini-moon will make just one complete orbit around Earth before it leaves.
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Asteroids like 2024 PT5, which occasionally get caught in Earth’s gravity, are referred to as “mini-moons.” Similar events have happened before, but they’re rare and usually only last a few weeks or months. Despite being too small to have any real impact on our planet, these mini-moons are fascinating to scientists because they help us learn more about near-Earth objects and their behavior.
If you’re a space enthusiast, keep an eye out for any images or news from astronomers who might capture this tiny “second moon” during its brief visit!
