A new “mini moon,” actually an asteroid named 2024 PT5, is set to orbit Earth temporarily. This space rock, about the size of a school bus at 33 feet (10 meters), will be pulled into Earth’s gravity as it passes by on Sunday. However, its stay will be brief, as it will only remain in Earth’s orbit for around two months before continuing on its original path through space.
The asteroid was first discovered in August by astronomers at Complutense University of Madrid, using a powerful telescope in South Africa. These mini moons are thought to be relatively common, though they are difficult to detect due to their small size. Richard Binzel, an astronomer from MIT, explained that while such events occur more frequently than we might realize, our ability to spot them is only now improving with advanced survey technology.
Newly Discovered Mini Moon 2024 PT5 to Orbit Earth for Two Months Before Returning to SpaceBinzel noted that the last mini moon was spotted in 2020, indicating that Earth occasionally captures small space rocks like this one. These temporary moons typically go unnoticed because they are both small and faint. As our astronomical tools advance, however, scientists are beginning to detect these short-lived phenomena with greater regularity.
The research on 2024 PT5 was conducted by Carlos and Raúl de la Fuente Marcos and published by the American Astronomical Society. Although this mini moon won’t be visible to the naked eye or through amateur telescopes, it can be observed using larger, research-grade telescopes, according to Carlos de la Fuente Marcos.
The mini moon will stay in orbit for nearly 57 days, but it won’t complete a full trip around the Earth. It will leave Earth’s gravitational influence on November 25, resuming its journey through space. Scientists expect the asteroid to pass by Earth again in 2055. However, it remains unclear whether the object is an asteroid or possibly debris from the moon itself.