We will call it mini-moon. All about Earth temporary second moon, asteroid 2024 PT5
There's a new moon on the horizon.
The Earth will gain a second, mini-moon on Sept. 29, but it won't stick around too long, USA TODAY reports. The asteroid 2024 PT5 is expected to escape Earth's orbit on Nov. 25 and be pulled toward the sun before continuing its journey through the solar system.
Here's what to know.
What are mini-moons?
"Mini-moon" events are when objects in space temporarily orbit the Earth, with some completing a full revolution. To be considered a mini-moon, an incoming object must reach Earth at a range around 2.8 million miles and at a steady speed of about 2,200 mph, USA TODAY reports.
What is 2024 PT5, which will orbit Earth like a second moon?
The asteroid 2024 PT5 was discovered by the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) on Aug. 7, per USA TODAY. Scientists wrote about the asteroid in a study published earlier this month in the non-peer-reviewed journal AAS Research Notes.
What is the mini-moon's projected orbit?
It will be captured by the Earth's gravity between Sept. 29 and Nov. 25, and will travel in a horseshoe shape while in orbit.
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How big is the mini-moon?
The asteroid measures about 33 feet wide. That's almost as long as the average city bus, per USA TODAY.
Will 2024 PT5 be visible from Earth?
No. With its small size, it's too faint to see with the naked eye or backyard telescopes, according to Forbes. However, astronomers using professional 30-inch telescopes will be able to see it.
Where did 2024 PT5 come from?
Researchers say 2024 PT5 came from the Arjuna asteroid belt, which is a group of objects that follow orbits similar to the Earth, Space.com reports.
Those objects can get dislodged by the gravitational pull of neighboring planets, which can bring them in to Earth's orbit, per USA TODAY.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What to know about Earth's new, second moon, asteroid 2024 PT5
