A Temporary ‘Mini-Moon’ for Earth
Scientists have revealed that Earth will temporarily acquire a second moon in the form of a small asteroid. This celestial visitor is expected to be captured by Earth’s gravitational pull and will become a “mini-moon” for a short period.

Asteroid 2024 PT5 to Enter Earth’s Orbit
The asteroid, named 2024 PT5, is set to enter Earth’s orbit on September 29 and will remain for about two months. However, due to its small size, it won’t be visible to the naked eye, requiring a professional telescope for observation.

Origin of the Asteroid
2024 PT5 originates from the Arjuna asteroid belt, a region containing space rocks that follow a similar orbit to Earth. Occasionally, asteroids from this belt come close to our planet, sometimes within 2.8 million miles (4.5 million kilometers).

Gravitational Capture Explained
Researchers have explained that slow-moving asteroids, such as 2024 PT5, which is traveling at around 2,200 mph (3,540 km/h), can be temporarily captured by Earth’s gravitational field. This weekend, the asteroid will experience this effect, but it won’t complete a full orbit around Earth. Instead, its path will be slightly altered before it leaves Earth’s gravity on November 25.

Astronomical Insights
Astronomer Dr. Jennifer Millard highlighted that while the asteroid will briefly come under Earth’s gravitational influence, it will quickly return to its own path without fully circling the planet. This rare event offers a brief but fascinating glimpse into Earth’s interactions with near-Earth objects.