Earth to gain temporary second moon from asteroid 2024 PT5
bbc.com —
Earth will temporarily gain a second moon, a small asteroid named 2024 PT5, starting September 29. It will orbit Earth for about two months before escaping back into space. The asteroid is too small and dim to be seen without professional telescopes. Discovered by NASA's ATLAS on August 7, 2024 PT5 is about 10 meters long. It comes from the Arjuna asteroid belt and will not complete a full orbit around Earth. Instead, it will have its path slightly altered by Earth's gravity. Mini-moons have been observed before, and many more may exist. The asteroid 2024 PT5 is expected to return to Earth's orbit in 2055. Scientists emphasize the need for ongoing monitoring of the night sky to discover more objects.