Earth To Have Two Moons From September 29 to November 25. Check Details Inside

From September 29 to November 25, Earth will briefly gain a second moon as asteroid 2024 PT5, measuring approximately 33 feet in length, is pulled in by the planet's gravitational force. This small celestial body, categorized as a "mini-moon," hails from the Arjuna asteroid belt, located about 93 million miles from the sun.

A Unique Horseshoe Path

Researchers reveal that the asteroid will trace a “horseshoe path” around Earth during its two-month stay. After this period, it will remain in Earth's vicinity until January 2025, before returning to its normal orbit around the sun. According to Carlos de la Fuente Marcos, a professor at Universidad Complutense de Madrid and lead author of the study, this phenomenon occurs when asteroids approach Earth at relatively slow speeds of around 2,200 mph, making them susceptible to gravitational capture.

Discovery and Observability

Asteroid 2024 PT5 was discovered on August 7 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (Atlas), a NASA-funded initiative. Although the mini moon is too small and dim to be seen with typical amateur telescopes, it falls within the brightness range for professional astronomers’ equipment.

Historical Context of Mini Moons

This isn’t the first time Earth has hosted a mini moon. Previous events occurred in 1981 and 2022, demonstrating that such gravitational captures are relatively rare but not unprecedented. 

Researchers estimate that 2024 PT5 will not return to Earth's orbit again until 2055, making this autumn’s encounter a unique opportunity for astronomers and space enthusiasts alike.