Earth might find another moon because of a rare phenomenon called gravitational trapping. A small asteriod, named 2024PT5, is set to become Earth's temporary mini-moon. Before continuing the journey in the solar system, this mini-moon is expected to make one orbit around our planet.

It was discovered on August 7, 2024, by the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS). 2024PT5 is an asteroid with a diameter of about 10 meters. It is set to loop around Earth from September 29 to November 25, 2024.

The observers used current measurements of its size, speed, and routh to predict that it will come close enough to Earth to be temporarily bound by its gravity. The mini-moon will complete one full orbit around Earth in 53 days.

This asteroid 2024 PT5 is too unclear to be seen by naked eyes, it will be visible to advanced observatories.

The researchers estimate that asteroid origins; are likely from the Arjuna asteroid belt. This belt is known for containing asteroids with orbits similar to Earth's.

According to researchers, the 33-foot-long asteroid 2024 PT5 will remain under the influence of Earth's gravity from September 29 to November 25.

The asteroid approaches Earth; it has two aspects: it may hit the planet or, very rarely, get captured by Earth's gravity and orbit around it.

In 2006, when an asteroid orbited Earth for a year. However, 2024 PT5’s path mirrors that of 2022 NX1, an asteroid that made temporary flybys in 1981 and 2022 and is expected to return in 2051.

Some asteroids complete full revolutions around Earth, while others, like 2024 PT5, break away before completing an orbit.