Earth to briefly gain second 'moon', scientists say

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Far beyond the reach of the naked eye, something small stirs in the distance—a visitor from the depths of space.

Far beyond the reach of the naked eye, something small stirs in the distance—a visitor from the depths of space.

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Captured by Earth’s invisible hand, the tiny asteroid drifts closer, its path altered, drawn into a temporary dance.

Captured by Earth’s invisible hand, the tiny asteroid drifts closer, its path altered, drawn into a temporary dance.

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For two short months, it will circle, a silent partner to the moon, never completing a full revolution.

For two short months, it will circle, a silent partner to the moon, never completing a full revolution.

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And then, as quietly as it arrived, it will leave—an unnoticed visitor on its cosmic journey.

And then, as quietly as it arrived, it will leave—an unnoticed visitor on its cosmic journey.

Get ready for a cosmic surprise this autumn - Earth is about to get a second moon, according to scientists. A small asteroid is going to be captured by Earth’s gravitational pull and temporarily become a "mini-moon".