Earth gets a second moon: Who can see it?

In an exciting astronomical event, Earth has gained a new temporary companion in space. It’s being referred as a new mini-moon.
Asteroid 2024 PT5, measuring approximately 33 feet (10 meters) wide, has been captured by Earth’s gravity and will orbit our planet for about two months, till November 25, 2024.
This celestial visitor, dubbed a “mini-moon,” was first detected on August 7 by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS).
Originating from the Arjuna asteroid belt, a collection of space rocks that share similar orbits with Earth, 2024 PT5 will not complete a full revolution around our planet.
Instead, its path will be slightly altered by Earth’s gravity before it continues its journey through the solar system.
To achieve mini-moon status, an asteroid must approach Earth at a relatively slow speed. This allows our planet’s gravity to capture the object temporarily, creating a short-lived natural satellite.
The phenomenon is rare and provides valuable insights into the dynamics of near-Earth objects.

ADVANCED TELESCOPE: The asteroid was first picked up by the Nasa’s Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System, which is an asteroid impact early warning system developed by the University of Hawaii. It scans the whole sky several times every night looking for moving objects. Advanced telescopes in observatories in several parts of the world will be able to see the rare asteroid that has been captured by Earth’s gravity.
AMATEUR TELESCOPE: Amateur telescopes won’t be able to spot the mini-moon easily. Advanced software is needed to locate and track the asteroid, which presents a major challenge for amateur astronomers. Tracking such fast-moving objects requires precision, making it difficult with basic telescopes alone.
NAKED EYES: It is impossible to spot the asteroid with the naked eye given the small size of the space rock that has been pulled by the planet’s gravity.
The asteroid’s small size and composition of dull rock make it too dim for casual observation. Even amateur telescopes and binoculars will struggle to detect this celestial visitor.
This rare celestial event highlights the dynamic nature of our solar system and the ongoing discoveries being made by astronomers.
Mini-moons are not uncommon, with previous occurrences recorded in recent years. In fact, some asteroids, like 2022 NX1, have made repeat visits, becoming temporary satellites in both 1981 and 2022.
For those who miss this celestial event, there’s good news: 2024 PT5 is expected to return to Earth’s orbit in 2055, providing another opportunity for astronomers to study this intriguing space rock and further our understanding of near-Earth objects.