Earth is set to witness a ‘mini-moon’ called 2024 PT5, a small asteroid that will not collide with Earth but will orbit around it, similar to the Moon, for a brief period of around two months by the end of this month. The ‘mini-moon’ 2024 PT5 will orbit Earth from September 29 to November 25, before breaking free from the planet’s gravitational pull.
The asteroid, approximately 10 meters wide, was discovered through the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System. Researchers found that its size, speed, and trajectory are suitable for it to be caught by Earth’s gravitational field for 53 days. During this time, it will orbit Earth before resuming its path through the solar system.
Asteroids like 2024 PT5 follow paths known as “horseshoe orbiters” due to their shape around Earth and the Sun. These bodies often approach Earth at low speeds, allowing temporary capture. Most mini-moons, however, do not complete a full orbit around Earth before returning to their heliocentric paths.
So how can you get a glimpse of the extraterrestrial event? Sadly for stargazers, 2024 PT5’s small frame will make it difficult to spot, but the space find is still intriguing as it’s one of the rare times Earth has collected additional temporary moons.