Asteroid To Become Temporary 'Mini-Moon' In Earth's Orbit

A near-earth asteroid will become a so-called "mini-moon" when it orbits the Earth for nearly two months starting Sept. 29, scientists say.

Asteroid 2024 PT5 was first spotted on Aug. 7 by the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) using an instrument in Sutherland, South Africa.

Researchers from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Spain tracked the small, 33-foot asteroid's path for 21 days, and determined it will be temporarily captured by Earth's gravity for a "mini-moon" event, due in part to its horseshoe orbit around the sun and its low relative velocity.

Asteroid 2024 PT5 is scheduled to be pulled into Earth's orbit Sept. 29 and remain there until Nov. 25, according to their research published in Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society.

As Asteroid 2024 PT5 initially traveled toward Earth, it made a close pass, closer than the moon's orbit. It is looping back toward Earth where it will be held in orbit temporarily. Once it escapes's Earth's orbit, it will continue on its orbital trajectory around the solar system.

Despite the fact that the asteroid will be lingering in the relatively nearby area, it is likely too dim to see with most amateur telescopes, though astronomers with professional telescopes will be able to spot it.

Asteroid 2024 PT5 is scheduled to make another appearance in Earth's neighborhood in 2055.

Story via TMX