Earth to Have 57-Day 'Second Mini Moon' From Sept. 29
Earth to Have 57-Day 'Second Mini Moon' From Sept. 29
The Facts
2024 PT5, a 33-ft long asteroid discovered in August, is reportedly set to make a “horseshoe path” around Earth, turning into its second moon from Sept. 29 to Nov. 25.
Temporarily captured by Earth's gravity, 2024 PT5 reportedly belongs to the Arjuna asteroid belt and won't be visible to most stargazers given its small size.
The Spin
Asteroid 2024 PT5 is stirring excitement in the scientific community as it offers a rare chance to examine an asteroid at close range. While too small for casual stargazers to spot, it's well within reach of professional equipment. Despite its elusiveness to the naked eye, 2024 PT5 represents a captivating cosmic phenomenon, pushing the boundaries of our understanding and sparking curiosity about the mysteries that lurk in our celestial neighborhood.
While Asteroid 2024 PT5 has captured attention, it's worth noting that Earth's mini-moon phenomenon is neither new nor uncommon. Our planet regularly attracts temporary satellites, with new ones appearing almost monthly. The 2020 CD3 discovery highlighted this recurring event. With improved technology, we are likely to detect these transient visitors more frequently. They're part of an ongoing celestial ballet.
Asteroid 2024 PT5 reminds us of an even more fascinating chapter in Earth's cosmic history: an original second moon. Astronomers theorize that billions of years ago, Earth had two moons, born from the same cataclysmic collision that created our current satellite. While this remains speculative, it highlights the dynamic nature of our celestial neighborhood.