The Earth Now Has Two Moons—Here’s How to See Them

In a delightful cosmic twist, Earth has welcomed a mini-moon into its orbit. For two months, a tiny asteroid named 2023 QO1 will shimmy alongside our planet, capturing the attention of astronomers and stargazers alike. The asteroid entered Earth’s orbit on September 29 and will travel in a horseshoe-shaped path around us until it departs on November 25.

Discovered by Spanish scientists earlier this year, this intriguing addition to our orbit is roughly the size of a school bus, and while it may not be the largest visitor we’ve had, its temporary residency is nothing short of fascinating. The mini-moon will circle Earth at a distance of around 25,000 miles, providing a unique opportunity for scientists to study its characteristics, and a fun opportunity for those interested in astrotourism as well. Asteroids like 2023 QO1 often elude detection, but this one has made headlines due to its unusual orbit and the relatively close proximity to Earth.

This is a prime time for skywatchers to take a moment to get outside, too. Though the second moon can’t be seen with the naked eye or amateur telescopes, a telescope at least 30 inches in diameter paired with a CCD or CMOS digital detector can get a glimpse. In other words, you’ll need to travel to a professional space observatory with public access. Think the Chabot Space Center in the East Bay, or the Lowell Observatory in Phoenix. Or you can catch a live stream of the mini-moon via the JPL feed live below.