Current:Home > ScamsDid You Know Earth Is Set to Have Another Moon in Its Orbit? Here's What That Means-LoTradeCoin
Did You Know Earth Is Set to Have Another Moon in Its Orbit? Here's What That Means
View Date:2024-12-23 21:02:39
Around the world in 57 days.
A new moon is Another expected to be pulled into the Earth’s orbit by the end of September, but the rare phenomenon won’t last long.
The visiting moon is technically an asteroid known as 2024 PT5, and was initially spotted Aug. 7 by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) initiative, which warns of asteroid impacts. Unlike the existing moon—which has orbited our planet for about 4 billion years—this new floating rock is only expected to orbit the Earth once, beginning its trip Sept. 29 before breaking off from its gravitational pull on Nov. 25.
Researchers Carlos de la Fuente Marcos and Raúl de la Fuente Marcos explained the event in the journal Research Notes of the AAS, writing, “Earth can regularly capture asteroids from the Near-Earth object (NEO) population and pull them into orbit, making them mini-moons."
Some have debated whether the asteroid even qualifies as a mini-moon due to its relatively small size—clocking in at 33 feet wide—as well as brief stay in Earth’s orbit.
“Every time an object with an orbit so earthlike is discovered, there is a chance that we are just recovering space debris,” Raúl told the New York Times, but confirmed that 2024 PT5 “is a natural object, no doubt about that."
So how can you get a glimpse of the extraterrestrial event? Sadly for stargazers, 2024 PT5’s small frame will make it difficult to spot, but the space find is still intriguing as it’s one of the rare times Earth has collected additional temporary moons.
One such example occurred in 1981 and 2022, when another asteroid—known as 2022 NX1—similarly took a short trip around the globe. In fact, the researchers noted in the journal that 2024 PT5 “follows a path that resembles that of 2022 NX1.”
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (2)
Related
- Chet Holmgren injury update: Oklahoma City Thunder star suffers hip fracture
- NC State star DJ Burns could be an intriguing NFL prospect but there are obstacles
- Stock market today: Asian shares mostly decline after Wall Street drop on rate cut concerns
- Soccer Star and Olympian Luke Fleurs Dead at 24 in Hijacking, Police Say
- When does 'Dune: Prophecy' come out? Release date, cast, where to watch prequel series
- Oklahoma executes Michael DeWayne Smith for 2002 fatal shootings
- Tech companies want to build artificial general intelligence. But who decides when AGI is attained?
- Hailey Van Lith enters transfer portal after one season with LSU women's basketball
- Burger King's 'Million Dollar Whopper' finalists: How to try and vote on your favorite
- NC State star DJ Burns could be an intriguing NFL prospect but there are obstacles
Ranking
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul VIP fight package costs a whopping $2M. Here's who bought it.
- Biden condemns unacceptable Israeli strike on World Central Kitchen aid convoy in call with Netanyahu
- Video shows massive gator leisurely crossing the road at South Carolina park, drawing onlookers
- Southern California hires Eric Musselman as men's basketball coach
- 3 Iraqis tortured at Abu Ghraib win $42M judgement against defense contractor
- Nebraska lawmakers to debate a bill on transgender students’ access to bathrooms and sports teams
- LeBron James supports the women's game. Caitlin Clark says 'he's exactly what we need'
- Bachelor Nation's Blake Moynes Made a Marriage Pact With This Love Is Blind Star
Recommendation
-
John Krasinski is People's Sexiest Man Alive. What that says about us.
-
Effortlessly Cool Jumpsuits, Rompers, Overalls & More for Coachella, Stagecoach & Festival Season
-
A Pennsylvania County Is Suing the Fossil Fuel Industry for Damages Linked to Climate Change
-
Officer acquitted in 2020 death of Manuel Ellis resigns from new deputy job days after hiring
-
Queen Elizabeth II's Final 5-Word Diary Entry Revealed
-
Drake Bell maintains innocence in child endangerment case, says he pleaded guilty due to finances
-
The Daily Money: Fewer of us are writing wills
-
Gay rights activists call for more international pressure on Uganda over anti-gay law