A second, smaller ‘moon’ will begin orbiting Earth this weekend, but will asteroid 2024 PT5 be visible?

They say two are better than one. Earth’s gravity is about to test that theory. Starting Sunday, September 29, Earth will experience what is being described as a second “small moon.”

This small mass is actually an asteroid that will hang in our orbit for a few months before continuing to escape gravity. This sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime event, but it has actually happened before. Let’s break it down.

When did scientists discover this?

NASA scientists first looked for the rocky remnant with the help of the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System. This went down on August 7th and made it possible to continue the course. The asteroid’s predicted trajectory was then published in the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Research Notes. Thankfully, this isn’t the beginning of an apocalyptic movie as it won’t come to Earth.

Where does this asteroid come from?

The asteroid has a name, 2024 PT5, and a home of sorts. It comes from the Arjuna asteroid belt, which has an orbit similar to Earth’s. Because of this, asteroids sometimes travel as close as 2.8 million miles to our earth. When you combine this proximity with a slow speed of about 2,200 mph, Earth’s gravity can cause you to travel.

How big is this second small moon?

Let’s compare the two months. The diameter of our primary satellite is 3,474 km. In contrast, the 2024 PT5 is only 32 meters long. There is a clear winner in the size category.

How can I see the second small moon?

Unfortunately, because the 2024 PT5 is so small, you won’t be able to see it with the naked eye or with ateur equipment. You need professional materials. Maybe NASA or other professional astronomers can use a good filter and post the best pictures on Instagram.

Did this really happen before?

Although it sounds like science fiction, this has all happened before and is not a rare occurrence. One asteroid called 2022 NX1 first entered Earth’s orbit in 1981 and was a hit until it returned in 2022. Scientists predict that 2024 PT5 may return in 2055. The night sky has many wonders yet to be discovered.