Earth getting a mini-moon tonight. Here's how you can see it

Earth is set to gain a temporary “mini-moon” tonight in the form of a small asteroid named 2024 PT5. The asteroid, about 33 feet (10 metres) wide, will orbit our planet for roughly two months, from September 29 to November 25, before escaping Earth’s gravitational pull.

Earth Mini-Moon: How to Watch

Despite its status as a moon, 2024 PT5 will not be visible to the naked eye, as it is composed of dull rock. Even with binoculars or home telescopes, it will remain difficult to observe.

However, professional telescopes will be able to capture images of this asteroid as it passes by.


Astronomer Jennifer Millard, host of the Awesome Astronomy podcast, told the BBC’s Today programme, “Professional telescopes will be able to pick it up. So, you’ll be able to look out for lots of wonderful pictures online of this little dot moving past the stars at great speed.”

The asteroid, which was first spotted by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (Atlas) on August 7, hails from the Arjuna asteroid belt, which is a collection of diverse space rocks orbiting the Sun near Earth.

Mini-moons have visited Earth before. 2022 NX 1 orbited Earth briefly in 1981 and again in 2022. 2024 PT5 is expected to make a return in 2055, suggesting that Earth’s temporary companions often revisit after many years.

Temporary Orbit and Departure

According to scientists, 2024 PT5 will be caught by Earth’s gravity but will not complete a full revolution around the planet. As astronomer Jennifer Millard explained, “It’s just going to have its orbit altered, just twisted slightly by our planet and then it’ll continue on its merry way.” The asteroid is predicted to leave Earth’s orbit on November 25.