Tue Oct 01 17:05:50 UTC 2024: ## Earth to Have a Temporary Second Moon This October
**Edinburgh, UK** – Get ready for a cosmic spectacle! For a short period in October, Earth will have a temporary second moon, though it will be too small to see with the naked eye.
Asteroid 2024 PT5, discovered recently by the ATLAS survey, will be captured by Earth’s gravity from September 29th to November 25th. This tiny asteroid, measuring just 10 meters across, will become a miniature moon, observable only through powerful telescopes.
While the celestial visitor takes center stage, October also offers a variety of astronomical events for stargazers to enjoy.
The month begins with a new moon on October 2nd, followed by the Hunter’s Moon, the largest supermoon of the year, reaching its full phase on October 17th.
October is also a good month for observing several planets, including Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, all visible for extended periods during the night. Mars will brighten significantly as it gets closer to Earth, while Jupiter will increase in brightness as it approaches our planet.
Additionally, six meteor showers will be active throughout the month, with varying levels of activity. While some showers, like the Draconids, may offer moderate viewing opportunities, others, like the epsilon-Geminids, will be largely obscured by moonlight.
October promises a captivating display of celestial wonders, from a temporary second moon to planetary alignments and meteor showers. So grab your binoculars and telescopes, and prepare for an unforgettable month of stargazing!
First Piper 