Imagine having a houseguest who stops by for a short stay, only to promise they’ll be back in a few decades. That’s exactly what just happened… in space!
Back in August, astronomers spotted a small asteroid getting cozy with Earth’s gravitational pull. Nicknamed a “mini moon,” this cosmic visitor—officially called 2024 PT5—spent two months circling in a loose orbit near us. But as of yesterday, it waved goodbye, tugged away by the sun’s gravity.
Don’t worry, though. This isn’t a forever farewell. Scientists predict that 2024 PT5 will return for another spin around Earth in 2055, after completing its journey around the sun.
Here’s the twist: while it’s not a true moon (it was never fully captured by Earth’s gravity), this asteroid might have a surprising connection to our real moon. NASA experts think it could be a chunk of lunar rock, blasted into space long ago by an asteroid impact.
“Given the similarity between 2024 PT5’s motion and that of Earth’s, it’s possible this object is a piece of our moon,” shared Josh Handal from NASA’s planetary defense coordination office.
So, next time you glance up at the night sky, think about our mini moon out there on its interstellar road trip. And who knows? Maybe in 2055, we’ll have a new generation of stargazers ready to welcome it back!
Want to geek out more about space? Check out this NASA feature for updates on near-Earth objects.
Keep looking up,
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PS: With 2024 PT5 off on its adventure, maybe it’s time to start making plans for its return party in 2055! 🎉🌕
