Cosmic Companion: A Mysterious Asteroid to Shadow Earth for Two Months

Discovered just a month and a half ago, on August 7, an asteroid is now approaching Earth’s orbit and will arrive on Sunday, September 29.

For about two months, this small cosmic companion will move parallel with Earth as both orbit the Sun. This unusual celestial visitor is a Near Earth Object (NEO), a category that includes small celestial bodies like asteroids and comets.

The asteroid, named 2024 PT5, originates from an asteroid belt near Earth. Due to recent gravitational shifts caused by the Sun, this small and dark object, just 11 meters in diameter, has been pulled closer to Earth’s orbit.

According to planetary geologist Anezina Solomondou, for the next two months, Earth will temporarily have a “second moon” accompanying its journey around the Sun.

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