Earth to Get a New 'Mini Moon' for 2 Months, Will Orbit Earth

Small Size Makes it Visible Only Through Advanced Observatories

Get ready for a celestial visitor! Earth is set to acquire a new 'mini moon' that will orbit our planet for approximately two months.

Discovered by astronomers, the mini moon, dubbed 2020 SO, is a small asteroid that measures roughly 1 meter to 4 meters in diameter. Its relatively diminutive size means it can only be observed using advanced observatories like the ones operated by NASA.

Discovery and Trajectory

2020 SO was discovered on September 17, 2020, by the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope in Hawaii. Observations revealed that the asteroid is currently in a temporary orbit around Earth and will remain so for around two months.

During this period, the mini moon will orbit Earth at a distance of approximately 50,000 kilometers, well within the range of our planet's gravitational pull. However, its small size and relatively distant orbit make it invisible to the naked eye.

Scientific Significance

While the mini moon poses no threat to Earth, its presence offers a valuable opportunity for astronomers to study near-Earth objects (NEOs) and their behavior.

By tracking 2020 SO's orbit and observing its physical characteristics, scientists can gain insights into the population of NEOs, their potential impact hazards, and the evolution of our solar system.

Observing the Mini Moon

Unfortunately, due to its small size, the mini moon will not be visible to the public through regular telescopes or binoculars.

Professional astronomers, however, will have the opportunity to observe 2020 SO using advanced observatories like the Hubble Space Telescope and the Gemini Observatory. These instruments will allow them to study the mini moon's surface, composition, and trajectory in greater detail.