A Familiar space rock returns for another Earth visit.

A small asteroid that briefly became Earth’s temporary companion is heading back for another close encounter. During its first visit in late 2024, asteroid 2024 PT5 spent nearly two months dancing around our planet before breaking free from Earth’s gravitational embrace. Now this school bus-sized space rock is preparing for its second act, giving scientists another opportunity to study one of nature’s most elusive cosmic visitors. While most people will never see this asteroid with their own eyes, its return offers valuable insights into the behavior of near-Earth objects.