Earth's Mini-Moon to Appear on September 29

A small asteroid, designated 2024 PT5, will become a temporary mini-moon from September 29 to November 25, 2023. Detected by NASA's ATLAS, it measures around 33 feet wide. Although not visible to the naked eye, professional telescopes will capture images available online.

Stargazers can look forward to a unique event this autumn as a small asteroid, known as 2024 PT5, will be captured by Earth's gravitational pull, briefly becoming a 'mini-moon.' This phenomenon will occur from September 29 to November 25, 2023.

While the mini-moon won't be visible to the naked eye, professional telescopes will capture images, and pictures will be available online.

Dr. Jennifer Millard of the Awesome Astronomy podcast explains that 2024 PT5, detected by NASA's ATLAS on August 7, is about 33 feet wide and originates from the Arjuna asteroid belt.

The asteroid won't complete a full orbit around Earth; its trajectory will be slightly altered before it continues its journey.

Such temporary mini-moons have been noted before, like asteroid 2022 NX1.

If you miss this event, 2024 PT5 is expected to return in 2055.