Earth is about to welcome a rare guest, a mini-moon. Recently discovered, the small asteroid 2024 PT5 will briefly orbit our planet. However, it will stay for only two months before drifting away into space.

The asteroid will begin its short stay on 29 September, making its appearance for about two months. By 25 November, it will break free of Earth’s gravitational pull and continue its journey through space. Details of this exciting discovery have been published in the Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society.

A Fleeting Mini-Moon

Astronomers first detected the asteroid on 7 August through NASA's ATLAS project. It is believed to be around 37 feet wide, though more observations are needed to confirm its exact size. However, estimates suggest 2024 PT5 could be as small as 16 feet or as large as 138 feet, possibly bigger than the asteroid that hit Chelyabinsk in 2013.

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Despite its proximity, there is no danger to Earth. The asteroid will remain 2.6 million miles away, roughly ten times the distance between Earth and the moon, as it follows a unique horseshoe-shaped path.

Rare Celestial Visitors

Temporary "mini-moons" like 2024 PT5 are not common. They tend to stay in orbit for varying periods, with some lingering for years and others, like this one, for just weeks. After completing its brief visit, 2024 PT5 will return for another close flyby in January 2025. More notably, it is expected to come back again in 2055 and 2084.

Though amateur astronomers won’t be able to spot the asteroid, professional telescopes will track its size and path, enriching our understanding of these temporary cosmic companions.

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