Asteroid 2026 QQ8 becomes temporary mini-moon for Earth
The one-metre-wide space rock was discovered by astronomer Krisztin Srneczky and is expected to orbit the planet until December 2026.
A small asteroid named 2026 QQ8 has been captured by Earth's gravity and is currently orbiting the planet as a mini-moon, according to India Today.
The object, which measures about one metre across, was discovered by astronomer Krisztin Srneczky on August 20, 2026. While discovered recently, observations indicate the asteroid entered Earth's gravitational neighbourhood around late April.
The Minor Planet Center confirmed the object is a natural asteroid after astronomers used the University of Hawaii's 2.2-metre telescope and the Lowell Discovery Telescope to rule out the possibility that it was human-made space debris. The asteroid is not a danger to Earth and will reach a minimum distance of approximately 0.0038 astronomical units (AU), which is about 1.5 times the average distance between Earth and the Moon.
The asteroid entered Earth's Hill sphere in April and follows a looping trajectory rather than a circular orbit. It is predicted to escape Earth's gravitational pull by December 2026 to continue its path around the Sun.
Calculations show 2026 QQ8 passes near Earth roughly every 10 years. It previously approached the planet in 1965 without being captured, and its next close encounter is predicted for 2058.