7 Interesting Facts About Temporary 'Mini-Moon’ Every Moon Lovers Should Know

Akriti Mishra
Sep 19, 2024

Asteroid 2024 PT5

Earth will temporarily capture a small asteroid, approximately 10 meters wide, named 2024 PT5. According to study, it was discovered on August 7, 2024, during routine monitoring.

Temporary Mini-Moon

From September 29 to November 25, 2024, Earth's gravity will pull the moon-like asteroid into its orbit, making it a "mini-moon."

Part of the Arjuna Asteroid

This asteroid belongs to the Arjuna asteroids, which have orbits similar to Earth's and are characterized by their low eccentricity and velocity.

Can you see it?

Unfortunately, the asteroid will be too dim for most people to see with naked eyes.. Its brightness is around magnitude 22, meaning only professional-grade telescopes can view it.

Which Telescope is required?

According to space.com, “A telescope with a diameter of at least 30 inches plus a CCD or CMOS detector are needed to observe this object”

Previous Mini-Moons

Similar events have occurred before, with the asteroid named as 2022 NX1, which was temporarily captured in both 1981 and 2022.

When to expect in future?

After this close pass, 2024 PT5 will make another appearance on Earth on Jan 9, 2025, but won’t return until 2055

VIEW ALL

Read Next Story