In an exciting astronomical event, Earth’s moon is set to have a temporary companion — a “mini moon” dubbed 2024 PT5. This intriguing space rock, measuring approximately 33 feet (10 meters) in size — roughly the length of a school bus — made it’s appearance this past weekend, becoming temporarily trapped by our planet’s gravity and entering into orbit. However, this cosmic visitor won’t be sticking around for long; it is expected to orbit Earth for only about two months.

The mini moon was first detected in August by astronomers Carlos de la Fuente Marcos and Raúl de la Fuente Marcos at Complutense University of Madrid, utilizing a powerful telescope located in Sutherland, South Africa. Their findings were published by the American Astronomical Society, adding to the excitement of this rare celestial event. According to Richard Binzel, an esteemed astronomer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, these short-lived mini moons are likely more common than previously thought. “This happens with some frequency, but we rarely see them because they’re very small and very hard to detect,” he explained. Binzel also noted that advancements in observational technology have recently improved our ability to spot these elusive space rocks more routinely.

The last known mini moon was detected back in 2020.

While 2024 PT5 won’t be visible to the naked eye or through standard amateur telescopes, it can be observed with larger, research-grade telescopes, offering an exciting opportunity for professional astronomers and enthusiasts alike.