A Small Asteroid Will Be Captured by Earth’s Gravity – But Can We See It?
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Get This: This autumn, Earth will temporarily have a second moon! A small asteroid called 2024 PT5 will be captured by Earth’s gravity starting on September 29 and will orbit for a couple of months. But don’t expect to see it with the naked eye—it’s too small and dim.
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What is a Mini-Moon?
A mini-moon is a small asteroid temporarily captured by Earth’s gravity. It orbits the planet for a short period before escaping back into space. Mini-moons are rare but occur when certain asteroids pass close to Earth at slow speeds.
About 2024 PT5:
Asteroid 2024 PT5 is about 32 feet (10 meters) long and comes from the Arjuna asteroid group. It will orbit Earth from September 29, 2024, to November 25, 2024. Discovered by NASA’s ATLAS system, it will return to Earth’s orbit in 2055.
Why Can’t We See It?
2024 PT5 is too small and dim to be seen with the naked eye or a home telescope. At just 32 feet long and made of dull rock, only professional telescopes can detect it. It won’t affect our view of the night sky.
The Importance of Discovering Mini-Moons:
Discovering mini-moons helps us better understand the activity in our solar system. Tracking these objects allows scientists to refine asteroid detection systems and predict future events. As more objects are discovered, we can learn how they interact with Earth’s gravity.
What’s Next for 2024 PT5?
2024 PT5 will orbit Earth for about two months, then continue its journey through space. It is predicted to return in 2055, making it a repeat visitor like other mini-moons before it, such as asteroid 2022 NX1.
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Read more: Earth’s Temporary Second Moon: Asteroid 2024 PT5