What is 2024 PT5? Earth to get second 'mini' moon

Earth is set to get a second moon later this month.

Nasa telescopes have spotted a small asteroid due to enter our planet's orbit from 29 September.

It's thought the 'mini-moon' - named 2024 PT5 - will circle Earth until the end of November, before moving on to other parts of the Milky Way.

Experts say the small space rock is only around 10 metres wide and doesn't pose a risk to Earth.

What is 2024 PT5 and what will happen?

2024 PT5 was first spotted last month by the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) - Nasa's asteroid detection system which is made up of four telescopes.

Experts say that the asteroid will travel close enough to our planet, on 29 September, for it to be pulled into Earth's gravity.

It's then expected to complete one single orbit of Earth before breaking free and escaping back into the solar system on 25 November.

Scientists think that 2024 PT5 likely came from the Arjuna asteroid belt - a group of space rocks that follow Earth-like orbits around the sun.

The asteroid is thought to be around 10 metres wide - making it too small to be seen with the naked eye and will only be visible using powerful telescopes.

It might not be the last time we come across the space rock either.

Researchers predict 2024 PT5 will return close to Earth at the beginning of January next year.