Earth to Briefly Capture a Mini-Moon This Fall
In an exciting celestial event, Earth is about to temporarily gain a second moon, as scientists predict a small asteroid will be captured by the planet's gravitational pull. This so-called "mini-moon" is expected to begin orbiting Earth on September 29, 2024, and will remain in orbit for about two months before it escapes our gravitational grasp. Named 2024 PT5, this asteroid is approximately 32 feet (10 meters) long, making it much smaller than Earth’s actual moon. Its dim and rocky nature means that it won’t be visible to the naked eye, and even home telescopes won’t be able to pick it up. Only professional-grade telescopes will be able to capture images of this fast-moving visitor as it glides through the night sky.
2024 PT5 was first identified in early August 2024 by NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS). Researchers have since tracked its trajectory and concluded that the asteroid will temporarily orbit Earth before continuing on its journey through space. It comes from the Arjuna asteroid belt, which contains rocks that follow an orbit similar to Earth’s. Occasionally, these asteroids come close enough to be influenced by Earth's gravity, and if moving at a relatively slow speed, they can be captured temporarily. In this case, 2024 PT5 will be drawn into Earth's orbit at a speed of around 2,200 mph (3,540 km/h).
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This isn’t the first time Earth has had a mini-moon. In fact, astronomers have recorded similar events before, such as in 2022 with asteroid NX1, which became a temporary moon for Earth on two occasions—first in 1981 and then again in 2022. While many mini-moons likely go unnoticed, their fleeting presence adds an exciting dynamic to our already bustling solar system.
Though 2024 PT5’s stay will be brief, scientists predict it may return to Earth’s orbit again in 2055, giving future generations another opportunity to witness this fascinating phenomenon. This event highlights just how much remains to be discovered in our solar system, with tens of thousands of objects still waiting to be monitored and studied.
For now, we can marvel at the knowledge that a second moon, however temporary, will soon accompany us on our journey through space. Keep an eye out for stunning images from professional observatories during this unique moment in astronomical history!
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