AI Insight
Earth has temporarily captured a small asteroid designated 2026 QQ8, which entered orbit in April 2026 and will remain until approximately January 2027. The space rock, measuring only 6 feet (2 meters) in diameter, orbits the sun every 359 days and approaches Earth roughly once per decade, but this time came close enough to be gravitationally captured. At its nearest point, QQ8 will pass about 353,000 miles from Earth, significantly farther than the Moon's average distance.
Why it matters
This observation supports research indicating Earth may host up to six mini-moons simultaneously, many being lunar fragments. Understanding temporary satellite captures helps scientists model near-Earth object dynamics and assess potential collision risks, though QQ8 itself would burn up completely in the atmosphere if it were to enter.
Understand the Science
Earth has caught itself a new mini-moon, and it is sticking around for Christmas.
The space rock, designated 2026 QQ8, was first observed in August 2026 after entering orbit around Earth in April 2026. The discovery was reported by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center on Thursday (Oct. 29).
The stay of QQ8 is a temporary one. The mini-moon will remain in the thrall of Earth’s gravity through December before breaking away in 2027.
Scientists have recreated the orbital path of QQ8, finding that it takes 359 days, or about 0.98 of an Earth year, to orbit the sun. QQ8 closely approaches Earth around once every ten years, but this time the object came so close that Earth has been able to gravitationally seize it.
According to the Minor Planet Center, the closest QQ8 will come to our planet during this stay is around 353,000 miles (568,000 kilometers). That is around 110,000 miles (177,000 km) further out than the average distance between Earth and the moon.
Even if QQ8 were to come close enough to collide with Earth, it would likely be completely destroyed in our planet’s atmosphere before it reaches the surface, as it is only around 6 feet (2 meters) in diameter.
This is far from the first time Earth has snagged itself a mini-moon, more accurately called a temporary satellite. In fact, research last year suggested that our planet could be orbited by as many as six mini-moons at any given time, with many of these being fragments of our more permanent natural satellite, the moon.
While QQ8 is tiny, it is larger than the average mini-moon. That is according to modelling earlier this year that suggested the average size for a temporary satellite is 75 centimeters (30 inches) across.
The same modelling suggested the average stay for such an object would be around nine months.
So if QQ8 was captured in April 2026, that means it should move away in January 2027.
The researchers behind those findings suggested that, were Earth to gravitationally grip a space rock around 10 feet (3 meters) wide, it could serve as a mini-moon for 10 to 20 years.
Source: Earth has captured a new mini moon — but it won't stick around for long