 A small “mini moon” called 2024 PT5 is flying away from Earth after staying close to us for several months.
This asteroid, about 10 m wide, was first seen in August. Scientists think it might be a piece of the Moon that broke off after an asteroid hit it long ago. It’s too small to be seen with the naked eye, but scientists have been tracking it with powerful telescopes.
The asteroid didn’t fully orbit Earth but moved around it in a horseshoe shape. Now, the Sun’s gravity is pulling it away from Earth. The mini moon will pass close to Earth again in January 2025 before disappearing until 2055.
| Luis A.
Staff Reporter
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