Earth to Gain a Temporary ‘Second Moon’ Starting This Weekend
Earth’s Temporary New Companion
Scientists have revealed that Earth is set to briefly gain a second moon, as a small asteroid is expected to be captured by the planet’s gravitational pull. This “mini-moon” will temporarily orbit Earth for around two months before drifting away.
Asteroid 2024 PT5: Too Small to See
The asteroid, named 2024 PT5, will enter Earth’s orbit on September 29 and remain until late November. Measuring just 32 feet (10 meters) in length, it is far smaller than Earth’s actual moon and will be too dim to be visible without a professional telescope.
Discovered by NASA’s Atlas System
The asteroid was first detected by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (Atlas) on August 7. It hails from the Arjuna asteroid belt, a region with rocks that follow a similar orbit to Earth’s. Occasionally, some of these asteroids come within 2.8 million miles (4.5 million kilometers) of the planet.
Captured by Earth’s Gravity
When an asteroid travels at a relatively slow speed — about 2,200 mph (3,540 km/h) in this case — Earth’s gravitational field can capture it temporarily. That’s exactly what will happen with 2024 PT5. However, it won’t complete a full orbit; instead, its trajectory will be slightly altered before it exits Earth’s orbit on November 25.
A Brief Celestial Encounter
Astronomer Dr. Jennifer Millard explained that while the asteroid will not fully circle the Earth, it will experience a brief shift in its path as it passes by. After its short stay, the mini-moon will continue on its journey through space.
