If you were hoping to see the “mini moon,” you’ve probably been disappointed. But experts say the asteroid was an important milestone in planetary defense research.

A new mini-moon the size of a city bus will begin circling our planet and hanging out in our skies until Thanksgiving week. An asteroid named 2024 PT5 will enter Earth's orbit, get caught there from Sept.

Though it can’t be seen with the naked eye or binoculars or a home telescope, but it can be visible to professional equipment because of its small size and made of dull rock.

An asteroid headed for earth this week is set to become trapped in our gravitational pull for the next couple of months, researchers say - giving us a temporary 'mini-moon'

Earth is about to flirt with a new natural satellite, gaining a second ‘mini moon’ for 57 days. Our relationship with THE moon has lasted around 4.6 billion years, so she doesn’t have to feel too threatened.

A small asteroid named 2024 PT5 will temporarily become Earth’s second moon, orbiting the planet before drifting away from its gravity.

It may sound out of this world, but the Earth will pick up a second mini-moon this month. But don’t get too attached to this celestial body, it is only sticking around for a couple of months. It will revolve around the earth in a horseshoe-shaped orbit from September 29th until November 25th.

Asteroids are ripe for mining. Some contain gold or platinum. Others could help make rocket fuel. When they're mini-moons, that's a prime opportunity.

This week see many special celestial sights, from a bright comet and a solar eclipse to a bright Venus and the possibility of aurora. There's even a new "mini" moon.

This month, Earth will briefly gain a second moon, a small asteroid known as 2024 PT5. You'll need some special equipment to see it!