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Earth has a new “mini-moon” — a small rock named 2024 PT5 that scientists now believe was ejected from the Moon. Discovered by the ATLAS observatory in August, this rock is the second object identified as possibly originating from the Moon after 469219 Kamoʻoalewa.
A study published earlier this month suggests 2024 PT5 is a piece of lunar ejecta. A postdoctoral researcher at Lowell Observatory led the research and found that the rock’s light patterns matched silicate-rich grains from the Moon, supporting its origin there. The object also followed a “horseshoe” trajectory near Earth, though it never entered orbit.
While the term “mini-moon” is used loosely in academic circles, some debate whether 2024 PT5 truly orbits Earth or was merely gravitationally influenced by it. However, the study concludes its origin is most likely lunar.
Professor Vishnu Reddy of the University of Arizona praised the research, noting circumstantial evidence supports this conclusion but more data would be needed to confirm. China’s Tianwen-2 mission aims to collect samples from 469219 Kamoʻoalewa in the future.
This discovery adds to a growing family of lunar rocks near Earth, offering insights into planetary science and satisfying public interest in asteroids. Dr. Teddy Kareta emphasized that this research highlights both scientific curiosity and the human fascination with space objects.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/science/earth-mini-moon-asteroid.html