By Chris Skeldon 
Planet Earth will have a second moon – a small one – which is supposed to “arrive” in the next few days. Although surprising, it will be temporary and should not be seen through amateur telescopes.
Earth will gain its second moon when a small asteroid approaches, 2024 BT5, Enter orbit. But for a short time. The second moon lasts only two months.
During the time it will be around Earth, it will not always be visible because it is “too small and dark” for amateur telescopes and binoculars. With the equipment used by professional astronomers, it will be possible to see it.
According to statements by scientist Carlos de la Fuente Marcos, who is also a professor at the Complutense University of Madrid, when Space.com websiteThe object belongs to “Arjuna asteroid belt” Made from “space rocks” that follow Orbits very similar to Earth's At an average distance from the sun of about 150 million kilometers.
The researcher explains that some objects in this belt can approach Earth at a distance of about 4.5 million kilometers and at a “low” speed (3,540 km/h).
According to the specialized website Space.com, the body needs to become a small moon Being 4.5 million kilometers from Earth and at a low speed.
This phenomenon can occur when the asteroid makes a complete orbit around the Earth or within days, weeks, or a few months (when it does not make a complete orbit).
Small moons like this, where the small body, in this case an asteroid, gains negative geocentric energy for weeks or a few months. RecurringLong-term cases are rare, occurring every 10 to 20 years.
After about two months, the 2024 PT5 is back on the belt.