Earth is about to get a new moon, at least for a while. This moon will actually be the asteroid 2024 PT5 discovered on August 7, 2024. It is around 10 meters (33 feet) in diameter and will be captured by Earth’s gravity from September 29 to November 25.

The asteroid will circle around Earth during this period but won’t complete a full orbit. After November 25, it will break free from Earth’s gravitational pull and continue orbiting the Sun.

Earth is about to gain a temporary mini-moon—asteroid 2024 PT5. Discovered on August 7, 2024, this asteroid is roughly 10 meters (33 feet) in diameter and will be captured by Earth’s gravity from September 29 to November 25, 2024.

During this time, the asteroid will loop around… pic.twitter.com/xDZERy3CsS
— Erika (@ExploreCosmos_) September 13, 2024

In a paper published in Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society, researchers explained how certain near-Earth objects (NEOs) can briefly become mini-moons. These objects, like 2024 PT5, approach Earth at a slow speed and are close enough for our planet’s gravity to temporarily capture them. However, they don’t stay long enough to make a full revolution around Earth.

Asteroid 2024 PT5 is a near-Earth object and belongs to the group that have orbits similar to Earth’s. Since its speed is low and is close to our planet, its trajectory easily gets influenced by bodies with heavier mass.

ALSO SEE: ISRO Plans To Study ‘God Of Chaos’ Asteroid Apophis During 2029 Flyby; ‘We Only Have One Earth’

During its brief visit, 2024 PT5 will offer scientists a unique opportunity to study how Earth’s gravity affects the paths of near-Earth objects. By understanding this interaction, astronomers can improve their predictions for finding asteroids that might be heading for a direct collision with our planet.

Researchers pointed out that this isn’t the first time Earth has captured a temporary moon. Another asteroid was temporarily captured by Earth between 1981 and 2022 during a flyby.

Mini-moons like 2024 PT5 are also of interest to those working in asteroid mining and space exploration. Because they are relatively close to Earth and accessible, they could be valuable targets for future missions aiming to study or even extract resources from asteroids.

ALSO SEE: ‘Asteroid’ That Triggered Panic Among Astronomers Turns Out To Be A Spacecraft; ‘Sorry About That’

(Image: NASA)

NASA has assured that there is no threat from asteroid Apophis which is set to fly past our planet in 2029. But a new study has come forth suggesting there is now a very slight chance it might collide with Earth.

Paul Wiegert, an astronomer at Canada’s Western University, has published a study in The Planetary Science Journal warning about a potential collision. He claims that there is a chance less than one in two billion that the 375-metres-wide Apophis may end up striking our planet, Futurism reported.

He took into account the collision of Apophis with smaller space rocks while on its way to Earth. The collisions, according to Weigert, may tweak Apophis’s trajectory sending it hurtling toward us. Apparently, other astronomers including those at NASA did not consider this possibility.

ALSO SEE: NASA Plans Bringing Shelved Janus Mission Back to Study Hazardous Asteroid Apophis

The scientist estimated that an asteroid just 11 feet wide could nudge it toward Earth for a collision in 2029 and smaller ones (about two feet wide) could cause a collision in 2036 or 2068.

But none of it is absolutely confirmed as Weigert says we’ll have to wait until 2027 to be absolutely sure. The expert underscored that it will be tricky to know if Apophis was struck by a smaller rock as the after-effects might soon dissipate.

Apophis, named after the Egyptian god of chaos and destruction, will be at its closest on April 13, 2029. Estimates suggest it will pass from a distance of about 32,000 kilometres and the European Space Agency (ESA) has announced Ramses mission to study it up close. NASA and ISRO are also planning to use this opportunity of studying the asteroid in order to ultimately strengthen planetary defense.

ALSO SEE: ISRO Plans To Study ‘God Of Chaos’ Asteroid Apophis During 2029 Flyby; ‘We Only Have One Earth’