October 2, 2024

Earth welcomes temporary new moon

Scientists say the traveling companion will only stick around for a few weeks.

Mini Moon Artist's illustration of 2024 PT5.
NASA

Scientists are tracking what they are calling Earth's "second moon" this week. It's an asteroid 37 feet wide, sailing outside the orbit of the original, larger Moon.

Planetary Science Institute's Mark Sykes says the Earth's gravity captured the object, called 2024 PT5, and put it in a temporary orbit.

"But it only goes partway around that orbit. It's called a horseshoe orbit and the reason why it does this is because the moon is messing everything up. The moon helps to capture it and it will help kick it out."

Sykes notes many similar objects are in the Earth's general neighborhood but have avoided detection and tracking.

"If you are moving slowly enough, then you might get captured into an orbit or a captured flyby situation."

Asteroid 2024 PT5 is 2-point-6 million miles away and can only be seen using large telescopes. Scientists say there's no chance of it colliding with either the Earth or its original Moon.

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona