Earth's moon will soon have a temporary companion in the form of a 'mini moon,' which is actually an asteroid approximately the size of a school bus, measuring 33 feet (10 meters) in diameter. This space rock, named 2024 PT5, was first identified in August by astronomers at Complutense University of Madrid using a powerful telescope in Sutherland, South Africa.
Mini moons, like 2024 PT5, are relatively common occurrences, although they are often challenging to detect due to their small size. The last known mini moon was observed in 2020, highlighting the recent advancements in survey capabilities that have made their detection more routine.
Despite its passage near Earth on Sunday, the mini moon will not be visible to the naked eye or through amateur telescopes. It will be temporarily captured by Earth's gravity, entering into an orbit around the planet for approximately 57 days before departing on November 25. The asteroid is not expected to complete a full orbit and will resume its independent trajectory through space, with a projected return near Earth in 2055.
The origin of 2024 PT5 remains uncertain, with astronomers speculating whether it originated as an asteroid or possibly as a fragment of the moon that was ejected into space. The discovery of this mini moon was recently published by the American Astronomical Society, shedding light on these intriguing celestial phenomena.
These short-lived mini moons offer valuable insights into the dynamics of space objects and their interactions with Earth's gravitational field. While they may not capture the public's attention like larger celestial events, their presence serves as a reminder of the diverse and dynamic nature of our cosmic neighborhood.
