A NASA illustration of what our new moon 2024 PT5 looks like.
Image: NASA/NASA
The original Earth and Moon that we have all come to recognize.
Image: NASA/NASA
Space enthusiasts around the world are in for an exciting couple of months as Earth will get a new baby moon that will end up in partial orbit around Earth, according to reports. space.com With reference to NASA.
“The objects coming to visit belong to the Arjuna asteroid belt,” researcher and lunar expert Carlos de la Fuenteque tells Space.com.
“The belt is made of space rock and follows orbits reminiscent of Earth’s orbits.”
But for those who were hoping for a whole new night sky with a sci-fi vibe, they may have to set some limits.
Professional technology is required
2024 PT5 is about ten meters in diameter, so it is too small to be seen with the naked eye. Binoculars or a classic home telescope are not enough to see the asteroid.
But professional telescopes will be able to capture images of it changing course and being sucked into Earth's gravitational field.
Unlike our normal moon, it too will not be able to make a complete revolution around Earth, leaving us again before the revolution is complete as its momentum pushes it away from the influence of our planet again, and back into space.
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