In an exciting celestial event, asteroid 2024 PT5 is set to become Earth’s second moon for a brief period of 57 days starting September 29th.1
NASA has confirmed that Earth’s gravitational pull will capture the bus-sized space rock, measuring approximately 33 feet (10 meters) in diameter, and orbit our planet until November 25th.
The newly discovered asteroid, part of the Arjuna asteroid belt, was first spotted by researchers at the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) on August 7th.2
But what exactly is a mini-moon, and how does this cosmic dance unfold?
A Cosmic Dance: 2024 PT5’s Horseshoe-Shaped Trajectory
Asteroid 2024 PT5’s unique trajectory will see it perform a cosmic dance around Earth, following a horseshoe-shaped path.
The space rock will approach Earth at a relatively slow speed of about 2,200 miles per hour, allowing our planet’s gravity to temporarily capture it.
During its 56.6-day stay, 2024 PT5 will not complete a full orbit around Earth. Instead, it will loop around our planet before the sun’s gravitational influence guides it back into its regular orbit in the Arjuna asteroid belt.
This fascinating journey has earned 2024 PT5 the nickname “window shopper” among astronomers.
Mini-Moons: A Rare & Intriguing Phenomenon
The phenomenon of mini-moons is not entirely new, but it remains a rare and intriguing occurrence.
Earth has previously captured two other asteroids in recent years, 2020 CD3 and 2022 NX1, which became temporary companions to our planet before swinging away.
Mini-moon events can be categorized into two types: long episodes, where the asteroid completes one or more revolutions around Earth over several years, and short episodes, like the one involving 2024 PT5, where the space rock does not complete a full revolution and remains in Earth’s orbit for a matter of weeks or months.
A Glimpse into the Future: 2024 PT5’s Return in 2055
While 2024 PT5’s visit this year will be brief, astronomers predict that the asteroid will return to Earth’s orbit. The space rock is expected to make a close approach to our planet in January 2025 before making another appearance as a mini-moon in 2055.
These return visits will allow scientists to study the asteroid and gather valuable data on its composition and trajectory.
By monitoring 2024 PT5 and other near-Earth objects, researchers can better understand the dynamics of our solar system and the potential risks asteroids pose.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
