Earth Gains (Very Temporary) Second Moon! Tiny Asteroid to Become Our Companion

Get ready for a celestial visitor! A small asteroid named 2024 PT5 is set to become Earth's temporary second moon for a brief period this month, according to a recent study by Professor Carlos de la Fuente Marcos of Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

Advertisement

This isn't your typical Hollywood asteroid scenario. 2024 PT5 hails from the Arjuna asteroid belt, a lesser-known group of space rocks sharing Earth's orbital path at an average distance of 93 million miles (150 million kilometers) from the sun. As Professor Marcos explains, these "cousins" of Earth's asteroid belt can sometimes get quite close, like 2.8 million miles (4.5 million km), and travel at relatively slow speeds of roughly 2,200 miles per hour (3,540 km/h).

Intriguingly, under these circumstances, Earth's gravity can capture these asteroids for a limited time, turning them into temporary moons. That's exactly what's happening with 2024 PT5.

Here's the breakdown:

• Starting next week, 2024 PT5 will begin a temporary dance with Earth, effectively becoming our second moon.
• Don't expect a full moon spectacle, though! This mini-moon won't follow a complete orbit around our planet.
• The celestial tango will last for approximately two months before the asteroid resumes its journey through space.
•  

Advertisement

What can we expect?

While likely too small to be seen with the naked eye, amateur astronomers with telescopes might be able to catch a glimpse of this unique visitor. Scientists are keeping a close watch on 2024 PT5's trajectory to ensure it poses no threat to Earth.

This event offers a fascinating glimpse into the gravitational mechanics of our solar system. Stay tuned for updates as we learn more about this extraordinary celestial encounter!