Scientists have discovered that Earth's second satellite is related to both the Moon and our planet.

At the end of September this year, another natural satellite appeared near Earth – the asteroid 2024 PT5. It will permanently depart from our planet on November 25 and venture further into space. Research on this asteroid indicates that it was formed from material ejected into space from the Moon's surface following the impact of another asteroid. Considering that the Moon itself was formed from material expelled from Earth, one could say that asteroid 2024 PT5 was visiting its relatives for two months. The study is set for publication in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, reports Space.

The most widely accepted theory explaining the Moon's origin suggests that our satellite was born from a violent collision between Earth and another planet-like object approximately 4 billion years ago. As a result of this impact, rocky debris was ejected into space, which, under the influence of gravity, coalesced into what we now know as the Moon.

Scientists believe that Earth's second moon, the asteroid 2024 PT5, formed in a similar manner, likely being ejected from the Moon's surface due to an impact event. This means it could simply be a giant rock that was once part of the Moon and is now a member of a group of asteroids known as the Arjunas. The authors of the study even suggest that all these asteroids may have originated due to the Moon as a result of impact events.

The researchers reached these conclusions based on a thorough examination of asteroid 2024 PT5 while it was in close proximity to Earth. The fact is that Earth's gravity captured this asteroid on September 29, but it won't complete a full orbit around our planet before departing forever on November 25. The asteroid's rapid rotation and its chemical composition suggest that it may indeed be a part of the Moon.

The Arjuna asteroid group consists of celestial rocks that orbit the Sun in nearly the same path as Earth, at a distance of about 150 million kilometers from our star. Asteroids in this group can approach Earth to within approximately 4.5 million kilometers at speeds of about 3,500 km/h. In such cases, Earth's gravity may sometimes pull any asteroid toward itself, temporarily making it a second moon.

Additional natural satellites of Earth appear from time to time. In some instances, asteroids linger near Earth for several days, weeks, or even months without completing a full orbit. In other cases, asteroids may remain near Earth for a year or even several years, completing not just one, but multiple full orbits.