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Get ready for a rare astronomical event as Earth is set to welcome a new mini moon, known as 2024 PT5, from September 29 to November 25, 2024. This small asteroid, about 33 feet (10 metres) wide, will be temporarily captured by our planet’s gravity, becoming a fleeting companion before moving back to its original path around the sun. While the arrival of a mini moon is an exciting opportunity for space enthusiasts, the likelihood of spotting this celestial visitor with the naked eye is low. Here’s what you need to know about this event and how to watch for it in your city.
What Is a Mini Moon?
A mini moon is a small celestial body, usually an asteroid, that gets temporarily caught in Earth's gravitational field. This kind of event happens every few decades, with the most recent mini moon sighting in 2022 when asteroid 2022 NX1 became a short-term companion of Earth. The newly discovered 2024 PT5 is only about 33 feet (10 metres) wide, making it difficult to observe without specialised equipment. This mini moon will orbit Earth once before breaking free and returning to its usual path around the Sun.
How Earth Captures Mini Moons
Mini moons are typically pulled from the Near-Earth Object (NEO) population, which includes asteroids and other bodies that come close to our planet. NASA considers any space object within 120 million miles of Earth a near-Earth object, while those within 4.7 million miles are labeled as potentially hazardous. Fortunately, 2024 PT5 poses no threat to us. Researchers categorise it as an Apollo-class NEO, similar to other recently captured mini moons.
Earth Mini Moon: Will You See It?
While the arrival of 2024 PT5 is thrilling for astronomers and space enthusiasts, most skywatchers will struggle to spot it. At just 10 metres wide, it is too small to be visible without professional-grade telescopes. The asteroid’s trajectory and characteristics show that it will make a close pass again in January 2025 and later in 2055, but for now, it will primarily be a scientific curiosity rather than a visible phenomenon for most.
The Future of Mini Moons
Despite their fleeting presence, mini moons like 2024 PT5 could play an important role in future space exploration. Scientists believe they may contain valuable minerals and water, which could be utilised in future missions. Thus, mini moons may become stepping stones for space companies aiming to mine asteroids and expand humanity's reach beyond Earth.