A Cosmic Surprise: Earth Welcomes a Mini-Moon This Autumn
This autumn, Earth has a delightful surprise in store: a small asteroid will be captured by our planet's gravitational pull, temporarily becoming a "mini-moon." This celestial visitor, designated 2024 PT5, will orbit Earth for approximately two months, from September 29 to November 25, before continuing its journey through space.
The event has piqued the interest of stargazers and space enthusiasts eager to catch a glimpse of this unusual guest. However, spotting the mini-moon with the naked eye won't be possible, as it is a small, dull rock. To observe it properly, one would need professional equipment; even binoculars or home telescopes are unlikely to reveal it well.
Dr. Jennifer Millard, an astronomer and host of the Awesome Astronomy podcast, noted that professional telescopes will be able to detect the mini-moon. “You can look forward to seeing plenty of fascinating images online of this tiny dot racing past the stars,” Millard said.
The asteroid hails from the Arjuna asteroid belt, which is home to rocks that follow orbits similar to Earth's. Discovered by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) on August 7, 2024 PT5 measures around 33 feet wide. Dr. Millard explained, “It won't complete a full revolution around our planet; instead, its orbit will be slightly altered by Earth's gravity before it continues on its path.”
Occasionally, asteroids like this one approach Earth, coming as close as 2.8 million miles (4.5 million km). Researchers have found that when such an asteroid moves at a relatively slow speed—around 2,200 mph (3,540 km/h)—Earth's gravitational field can exert enough influence to trap it temporarily.
This weekend marks the beginning of 2024 PT5's brief stay, and while mini-moons have been observed before, many more likely go unnoticed. Some even return for repeat visits; for instance, the 2022 NX1 asteroid became a mini-moon in both 1981 and 2022.
If you happen to miss this event, there's no need to worry. According to scientists, 2024 PT5 is expected to return to Earth’s orbit again in 2055.
“This story emphasizes just how dynamic our solar system is and how much we have yet to discover,” Millard added, highlighting that this asteroid was only identified this year.
A pioneering company dedicated to promoting excellence in education through innovative solutions and platforms. Edu Expo Global Pvt Ltd unites key figures in Education Technology.