Asteroid to become Earth’s temporary ‘mini moon’ as it enters orbit soon

Asteroid 2024 PT5 is set to temporarily orbit Earth for about two months, starting on Sunday and lasting until November 25. The 33-foot long asteroid is not a threat to Earth and will not complete an entire orbit around the planet. These “mini-moon” events are not uncommon, with previous examples including asteroids 2020 CD3 and 2006 RH120. The upcoming visit from 2024 PT5 will be short, as the asteroid will be too small and faint to be seen with regular telescopes. Scientists plan to study the asteroid’s surface composition and rotation speed using the Gran Telescopio Canarias to learn about its origin and potentially inform research on other asteroids that could pose a danger to Earth. ATLAS, an early warning system for asteroids, discovered 2024 PT5 in early August. The discovery of the asteroid highlights the importance of monitoring and understanding near-Earth objects to better prepare for potential impacts.

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