Starting September 29, the asteroid 2024 PT5 will orbit Earth as a temporary mini-moon. Learn more about this rare celestial event and how long it will last.
BollywoodFever: The moon will soon have a companion in Earth’s orbit for a brief period, as the asteroid 2024 PT5 is set to become a “mini-moon” for nearly two months. Beginning on September 29, the tiny asteroid will temporarily orbit Earth before returning to its original path around the sun, as detailed in a study published in the Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society.
The asteroid, classified as an Arjuna asteroid, was discovered on August 7, 2024, during routine monitoring by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System in Sutherland, South Africa. Unlike long-term moons, mini-moon events like this one are fleeting. The 2024 PT5 mini-moon will remain in Earth’s orbit until November 25, after which it will return to the asteroid belt.
What Are Mini-Moons?
Mini-moons are temporary natural satellites—objects such as asteroids or space debris that enter Earth’s gravitational pull and orbit the planet for a short time. To be classified as a mini-moon, an object must travel within a range of around 2.8 million miles (4.5 million kilometers) and maintain a steady speed of about 2,200 mph (3,540 km/h), according to Universidad Complutense de Madrid professor Carlos de la Fuente Marcos.
These events can last anywhere from a few days to several months or even years. Some mini-moons complete one or more revolutions around Earth, while others only partially orbit before moving on. Previous mini-moon events occurred in 1981 and 2022, though their durations were brief.
When Can We Expect to See the Mini-Moon?
Despite 2024 PT5’s temporary orbit, most Earthlings won’t be able to see it. The asteroid is too small and dim to be observed with the naked eye or even with standard amateur telescopes. According to Marcos, a telescope with at least a 30-inch diameter and specialized detectors like CCD or CMOS will be required for viewing. As a result, only professional astronomers with access to high-grade equipment will likely be able to witness the event.
While this mini-moon event won’t be visible to most, it still adds to the fascinating history of short-lived satellites that occasionally join Earth’s orbit. As 2024 PT5 orbits our planet, Earth will briefly host two moons—a rare occurrence in the celestial world.
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