Asian Mail
Scientists predict that Earth will temporarily gain a “second moon” this weekend, as a small asteroid is captured by the planet’s gravitational pull.
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According to BBC News, the asteroid, named 2024 PT5, will enter Earth’s orbit on September 29 and remain for approximately two months before escaping again.
Discovered by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) on August 7, the 32-foot-long asteroid hails from the Arjuna asteroid belt.
Researchers say the asteroid’s slow speed of around 2,200mph allows Earth’s gravity to temporarily trap it.
Dr. Jennifer Millard, astronomer and host of the Awesome Astronomy podcast, confirmed the asteroid’s orbit will begin on September 29 and end on November 25.
“It’s not going to complete a full revolution of our planet, it’s just going to have its orbit altered… and then it’ll continue on its merry way,” Dr. Millard told BBC’s Today programme.
The mini-moon will be too small and dim to be seen without a professional telescope, unlike Earth’s moon, which has a diameter of approximately 3,474km.
(Courtesy BBC News)
