Earth's Temporary Second Moon: Asteroid 2024 PT5's Two-Month Orbit Explained
Though referred to as a mini-moon, 2024 PT5 won't complete a full orbit around Earth. Instead, it will be a “temporarily captured flyby,” circling around 25 percent of the planet's surface before heading off again into the solar system. These brief encounters are common, and many mini-moons don't stick around long enough to form a stable orbit.