Scientists confirm Earth has a new mini-moon | Explained by TIES

Earth has a temporary second moon orbiting our planet right now. Learn the facts about asteroid 2026 QQ8 and its brief visit. This video explains the discovery of 2026 QQ8, a small asteroid measuring about 2 meters that entered our orbit this past April. It provides a clear breakdown of how these mini-moons interact with gravity and why they are only temporary visitors to our celestial neighborhood. You will understand the orbital mechanics that allow these objects to swing close to our planet before departing. Astronomers expect this object to leave by January as it completes its journey around the sun. While this specific event is rare, it is possible for up to six mini-moons to exist simultaneously. This breakdown is for anyone interested in the current state of our solar system and the transient objects that occasionally join our orbit. Subscribe for weekly space science breakdowns, and comment below if you want to learn more about how asteroids are tracked.