Earth is welcoming a temporary celestial visitor, referred to as a “mini-moon.” An asteroid named 2024 PT5 has been captured by Earth’s gravitational pull and will orbit the planet from Monday until November 25.
This event marks the fifth detection of a mini-moon, a term used for small objects that briefly orbit Earth.
Discovered by former ISRO scientist Manish Purohit, 2024 PT5 is approximately 10 meters (33 feet) in diameter and originated from the Arjuna asteroid belt.
Although it will not complete a full orbit, the asteroid will follow a horseshoe path around the Earth for about 55 days before escaping back into space.
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Due to its size, it won’t be visible to the naked eye and can only be observed with special telescopes.