On Sunday, September 29, Earth briefly welcomed a “mini-moon” as an asteroid entered its orbit, providing a unique spectacle for astronomers and skywatchers alike. The asteroid, designated 2024 PT5, was discovered by NASA on August 7 and originated from the Arjuna asteroid belt. It orbited Earth until November 25, capturing the attention of science enthusiasts across Camden County.
Astrophysics Professor Adam Frank from the University of Rochester explained the phenomenon, noting that the mini-moon was an asteroid that usually orbits near Earth. “What we had was an asteroid, which is basically a flying mountain in space, getting captured by the Earth’s gravity,” he stated. “It was part of the Earth-Moon system for about two months before being flung back out.”
Despite the excitement of having a second moon, 2024 PT5 measured only about 10 meters in length, significantly smaller than the Moon itself. Consequently, it was not visible to the naked eye, and astronomers required telescopes to observe it. “You needed a telescope,” Professor Frank noted. “Even then, it was difficult to see due to its distance.”
The arrival of asteroid 2024 PT5 provided Camden County residents an opportunity to learn more about asteroids and their behavior. Experts assured that there was no cause for concern regarding the asteroid’s orbit, but emphasized the importance of cataloging such objects to better understand potential future threats.
Previous mini-moon events were recorded in 1981 and 2022, and this occurrence allowed astronomers to gather valuable data. “Astronomers are spending a lot of time trying to catalog these classes of asteroids,” Frank explained, highlighting ongoing efforts to track asteroids that might pose a risk to Earth.
