Earth's 'second moon' visible on September 29; here's how to see it

On September 29, Earth's 'second moon,' officially known as 2023 FW13, will be visible in the night sky, presenting a rare astronomical event. Stargazers can catch a glimpse of this phenomenon with the naked eye or binoculars. The event provides a unique opportunity for enthusiasts to observe this celestial object. Discover tips on how to view it effectively and enhance your stargazing experience.

The mini-moon is not visible to the naked eye, and observing it through binoculars or a home telescope would also be quite challenging due to its small size and dull rock composition.

Earth will temporarily acquire a second moon in the form of a small asteroid named 2024 PT5. This mini-moon will orbit the planet for approximately two months, from September 29 to November 25, before returning to its original gravitational path. The American Astronomical Society first reported this information through research notes.

The mini-moon cannot be seen with the naked eye, as it is composed of a small, dull rock. Observing it through binoculars or a home telescope would also prove to be challenging.

Astronomer Dr. Jennifer Millard, host of the Awesome Astronomy podcast, told BBC that “Professional telescopes will be able to detect it. You can expect to see many fantastic images online of this tiny dot moving swiftly among the stars.”

NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (Atlas) first identified the asteroid on August 7, and it measures about 33 feet in width. It originates from the Arjuna asteroid belt, a diverse collection of space rocks orbiting the sun near Earth.

The asteroid 2024 PT5 will begin its orbit on September 29 and is expected to depart on November 25. Dr. Millard explained, “It won't complete a full revolution around our planet; it will merely have its orbit slightly altered by Earth's gravity before continuing on its path."

Such asteroids typically pass by our planet at a distance of approximately 2.8 million miles (4.5 million kilometers). If an asteroid moves at a slow speed of about 22,000 mph (3,540 km/h), Earth's gravitational field can temporarily capture it, as is the case with this asteroid, allowing it to spend two months in orbit.

Dr. Millard noted, “This situation emphasizes just how busy our solar system is and how much remains undiscovered, as this asteroid was only found this year. There are tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of objects we have yet to identify, highlighting the importance of continuously monitoring the night sky.”

This is not the first occurrence of mini-moons being observed. Some even return for multiple visits. The asteroid 2022 NX1 became a temporary companion to Earth in 1981 and again in 2022. Scientists also anticipate that 2024 PT5 will return to Earth's orbit in 2055.

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Source: business-standard‍