NASA scientists report that Earth will temporarily capture a small asteroid named 2024 PT5, acting as a 'second moon'. The asteroid will orbit Earth for about two months in a horseshoe path, before returning to its usual path around the sun. It's part of the Arjuna asteroid belt, a group of space rocks with Earth-like orbits. Though too small to be seen by amateur astronomers, it's well within the range of professional telescopes. This isn't the first mini-moon event, with 2022 NX1 also temporarily orbiting Earth in the past. This discovery highlights the dynamic nature of our solar system and the vast amount of space objects yet to be found, reminding us that there's still much to explore beyond our familiar moon, and that even temporary celestial companions can offer valuable insights.
