Earth is parting company with an asteroid that's been tagging along as a “mini moon" for the past two months. The harmless space rock will peel away on Monday.

Earlier this year, the number of moons orbiting Earth temporarily doubled, admittedly from the low starting point of "one". Taking a closer look at the new mini-moon, astronomers have learned more about its origin.

Earth’s celestial companion is leaving. Well, not its natural satellite, but a temporary mini-moon captured by Earth's gravity is escaping its orbit. This mini-moon is actually a harmless asteroid dubbed 2024 PT5.