A new celestial companion is about to join Earth’s orbit in the form of a large asteroid, known as 2024 PT5, which has been dubbed a “mini moon.” According to Sky News, this temporary satellite is expected to arrive on Sunday, September 29, 2024, and will remain in Earth’s orbit for around two months.

This mini moon could be either a solid asteroid or a comet composed of a mixture of dust, rock, and ice. Associate Professor of Astronomy at Nottingham Trent University explained that mini moons are small objects that temporarily orbit larger celestial bodies like planets. He emphasized that these objects don’t stay in orbit permanently; instead, they are captured by a planet’s gravity for short periods before continuing their journey through space.

The asteroid 2024 PT5 was first detected in August 2023, just one day before it made its closest approach to Earth, passing at a distance of 353,200 miles (568,500 kilometers), which is comparable to the average distance between Earth and its regular moon.

Dr. Brown, an expert in the field, explained that the mini moon will stay in orbit around Earth for 57 days before gravitational forces cause it to swing out and continue its path through the solar system. “There is nothing explosive or dramatic happening to it for it to leave,” he added. “It simply has too much energy to remain in Earth’s orbit for an extended period.”

2024 PT5 belongs to the Arjuna asteroid group, a collection of near-Earth objects that closely follow Earth’s orbit around the Sun. This group is known for having small, slow-moving asteroids, many of which have short-lived orbits around Earth, similar to 2024 PT5.

While the phenomenon of a mini moon is rare, it provides a unique opportunity for astronomers to study the behavior and characteristics of these temporary companions in Earth’s orbit. It also highlights the dynamic and ever-changing nature of our solar system.