In a rare celestial event, Earth is set to capture a small asteroid as a temporary “mini-moon” this autumn. The space rock, named 2024 PT5, will be held in Earth’s orbit from September 29 to November 25, offering a unique opportunity for astronomers and space enthusiasts to observe this cosmic phenomenon.
Earth’s Mini Moon to be visible on September 29
Dr. Jennifer Millard, host of the Awesome Astronomy podcast, explained to the BBC, “It won’t complete a full revolution around Earth. Its orbit will be slightly altered by our planet before it continues on its way.” Despite the excitement, 2024 PT5 will not be visible to the naked eye or even through standard binoculars or home telescopes due to its small size and dim appearance.
The asteroid, measuring approximately 33 feet wide, was first detected on August 7 by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS).
It originates from the Arjuna asteroid belt, a group of rocks with orbits similar to Earth’s. Dr. Millard noted, “You’ll be able to see wonderful pictures online of this little dot speeding past the stars,” as professional telescopes capture images of the mini-moon during its brief stay.
This celestial dance occurs when asteroids pass close to Earth—sometimes as near as 2.8 million miles—at relatively slow speeds of around 2,200 mph. Earth’s gravity can temporarily trap these slow-moving space rocks, creating the mini-moon effect.
Is Mini Moon visible before?
While 2024 PT5’s visit is noteworthy, it’s not unprecedented. Mini-moons have been observed before, with some even making repeat appearances. For instance, asteroid 2022 NX1 became a mini-moon in both 1981 and 2022. Those who miss this event can look forward to 2024 PT5’s expected return to Earth’s orbit in 2055.
Dr. Millard emphasized the significance of this event, stating, “This story shows just how busy our solar system is and how much remains undiscovered. This asteroid was only detected earlier this year.” The mini-moon phenomenon serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of our cosmic neighbourhood and the ongoing discoveries in space exploration.
