Earth is set to play host to a second celestial companion in the form of a "mini-moon" starting on September 29, according to a recent study published in Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society. This mini-moon will be an Arjuna asteroid named 2024 PT5, which will join Earth's main moon before eventually heading back to an asteroid belt that follows Earth in its orbit around the sun.

This phenomenon, while rare, is not unprecedented according to the team of researchers who specialize in tracking mini-moon events. They mentioned two other notable instances of mini-moons in 1981 and 2022. Despite the frequency of these occurrences, mini-moons are typically short-lived and do not stay in Earth's vicinity for an extended period.

Although the upcoming mini-moon event may spark curiosity among stargazers, the lead author of the study noted that 2024 PT5 will not be visible to the naked eye or amateur telescopes. Viewing this mini-moon will require the use of a professional telescope, making it a challenging but fascinating sight for those equipped with the necessary technology.