A small asteroid named 2024 PT5 is making a brief visit to Earth’s orbit, becoming a temporary “mini-moon” this autumn. Starting from September 29 to November 25, 2024, the asteroid will be captured by Earth’s gravity before continuing its journey through space. However, despite its fascinating arrival, you won’t be able to see this mini-moon with the naked eye or even with typical binoculars and telescopes.
Asteroid 2024 PT5, first discovered on August 7 by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), is a part of the Arjuna asteroid group. These asteroids have orbits similar to Earth’s, and 2024 PT5 measures around 33 feet wide. Unlike Earth’s natural moon, this asteroid won’t stay long or complete a full orbit around the planet. Instead, Earth’s gravity will slightly tweak its path, and after its short stay, 2024 PT5 will head back into space.
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Dr Jennifer Millard, an astronomer and host of the “Awesome Astronomy” podcast, explains that small and slow-moving asteroids like 2024 PT5 can sometimes be captured by Earth’s gravitational pull. With a speed of 2,200 mph (3,540 km/h), 2024 PT5 is slow enough to allow this brief capture. Such occurrences are rare but not unheard of. Mini-moons like this provide a unique glimpse into how active and dynamic our solar system is.
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While stargazers won’t be able to spot the asteroid without specialized tools, it will be visible through professional astronomical equipment. According to Dr Millard, images of the asteroid are expected to be shared online, where it will likely appear as a small dot moving among the stars.
This isn’t the first time Earth has encountered a mini-moon. Asteroid 2022 NX1, for instance, orbited Earth briefly in 1981 and 2022. The good news for those who might miss 2024 PT5’s visit is that scientists predict it will return to Earth’s orbit in 2055, giving space enthusiasts another chance to witness this celestial event in the future.