Not too long after the Lunar Eclipse in Pisces that took place on September 17, there was a new celestial event making headlines. The “Two Moon” Phenomenon is set to take center stage in Earth’s orbit from the end of September through November. Although this may sound like a work of sci-fi or downright silly, there is a plausible explanation for this astronomical occurrence. There’s a lot of misinformation floating around about the appearance of “two moons,” so now is the time to debunk some myths and learn how you can witness this event for yourself.
Origin of the Two Moons Myth
The myth of two moons taking over the sky originated from an astronomical misinterpretation. Back in 2003, a viral internet rumor claimed that on August 27, 2003, Mars would appear as large as the moon in the night sky, large enough for the naked human eye to see. The event was allegedly going to result in the appearance of two identical moons. However, Mars never has, and maybe never will, actually reach a size where it would be visually comparable to the moon from Earth. Despite this theory being dispelled by several world-renowned scientists and astronomers, the myth continuously resurfaces online, inciting excitement and curiosity in people all across the world.
So, what exactly happened on September 29, 2024?
What recent studies from the journal Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society claim to be a “mini-moon” is actually a tiny asteroid (or Space Rock), called 2024 PT5, that is said to orbit around the sun as part of an asteroid belt that follows Earth. The asteroid, only 33 feet long and originating from the Arjuna asteroid belt, is to be of no harm to Earth and is only set to orbit the planet from September 29 to November 2024. The “mini-moon” will orbit about 2.6 million miles away from Earth, at a distance greater than the proximity between Earth and the moon. Astronomers originally caught the asteroid on August 7 using the South Africa-based observatory of the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS. Mini-moon episodes are either short-term or long-term. Short-timers that are captured as remnants of floating pieces of rocks in space like the 2024 PT5 only orbit for a couple of days or weeks whereas long-episode moons revolve around Earth for a year or more.
How can we see the mini-moon?
Capturing the asteroid with the naked eye is virtually impossible. However, here are two tips for seeing the Moon at a closer range:
- Use a telescope with a diameter of at least 30 inches with a CMOS detector
- Finding a dark place to use your telescope will make the challenge of star gazing much easier
Will we witness another mini-moon?
This wouldn’t be the first time the moon has been visited by an asteroid. In 2020, asteroid 2020 CD3 made its way into Earth’s orbit. Only measuring about six feet, the asteroid stuck around for about a year before it returned to its home in space.
Although the idea of “two moons” in the sky is indeed a two-decade-old myth, the event on September 29 is expected to be a rare occurrence. Asteroid 2024 PT5 will reappear as a “mini-moon” only for a couple of days in November 2055. After that, the asteroid won’t see the orbit of Earth again until 2084. Enjoy the mini-moon while it lasts, because we won’t be witnessing another one any time soon.
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