Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Earth has picked up a temporary visitor. A tiny asteroid, named 2026 QQ8, has been captured by our planet’s gravity and is currently orbiting Earth as a mini-moon.
The space rock is expected to remain with us until December 2026, before escaping Earth’s gravitational hold and continuing its journey around the Sun.
According to the Minor Planet Center, the object was discovered by astronomer Krisztin Srneczky on August 20, 2026. However, observations of its orbital path suggest that it entered Earth’s gravitational neighbourhood much earlier, around late April.
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The mini-moon is extremely small, measuring approximately one metre across. It poses no threat to Earth, with its closest approach estimated at 0.0038 astronomical units (AU), around 1.5 times the average distance between Earth and the actual Moon.
Astronomers initially debated whether 2026 QQ8 was a natural asteroid or a piece of human-made space debris, possibly from an old rocket or satellite. Follow-up observations using the University of Hawaii’s 2.2-metre telescope and the Lowell Discovery Telescope helped resolve the mystery.
The Minor Planet Center subsequently confirmed that the object is natural in origin and is likely a small asteroid.
HOW DID EARTH CAPTURE A NEW MINI-MOON?
Earth occasionally captures small asteroids that pass close enough to be pulled temporarily into its gravitational influence. In the case of 2026 QQ8, the space rock crossed Earth’s Hill sphere in April, the region around a planet where its gravity can dominate the motion of smaller objects against the Sun’s pull.
Its orbit around Earth is not a neat circle. Instead, the asteroid follows an unusual, looping trajectory before eventually escaping. By December, it is expected to break free and resume its independent journey through the Solar System.
Interestingly, 2026 QQ8 is not a complete stranger to Earth. Orbital calculations suggest it passes relatively close to our planet approximately once every 10 years.
It approached Earth in 1965 but did not come close enough to become temporarily captured. Its next predicted close encounter is in 2058, although astronomers do not expect it to become a mini-moon again.
Earth has hosted other temporary visitors, including 2020 SO, 2020 CD3 and 2024 PT5. It also has quasi-moons, such as 2025 PN7, which appear to accompany Earth but actually orbit the Sun alongside our planet rather than being gravitationally bound to it.
For now, 2026 QQ8 is Earth’s latest temporary companion.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
