Earth’s temporary mini-moon 2026 QQ8 may leave in January 2027

On this pass, QQ8 approached closely enough for Earth’s gravity to capture it. Earth can briefly pull a nearby space rock into orbit, but the Sun’s continuing influence means the rock retains its own path around the Sun while sharing a temporary orbit with Earth.

This unusually close pass allowed Earth to capture the rock.

How close will QQ8 come to Earth?

According to the Minor Planet Center, QQ8’s closest approach during this stay will be about 353,000 miles (568,000 kilometers). That is approximately 110,000 miles (177,000 kilometers) farther than the average distance between Earth and the Moon.

The estimate does not rule out a collision if the rock’s path changes. Even then, its small size makes a surviving impact unlikely. At only about 6 feet (2 meters) across, QQ8 would likely be completely destroyed in Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the surface.

A collision would likely end with fragments in the atmosphere, not an intact rock at the surface.

How long will Earth keep QQ8?

Earth captured QQ8 in April 2026 and should retain it through December before the rock breaks away in 2027. The same modeling that estimated a typical nine-month temporary satellite stay points to a January 2027 departure for QQ8.

Researchers behind those findings also estimated that Earth could capture a rock about 10 feet (3 meters) wide and keep it as a mini-moon for 10 to 20 years. A larger object would face a much stronger struggle to escape Earth’s gravitational pull.

These figures are model-based projections rather than guarantees for an individual rock. The available estimates nevertheless put QQ8’s departure in January 2027, with a possible Christmas visit as the high point of its stay.

The holiday visit has a clock on it, and current models point to a January exit.

How common are temporary mini-moons?

Earth has captured temporary satellites before. Research published in 2025 suggested that the planet could have as many as six mini-moons orbiting it at any given time. That figure came from modeling rather than a simultaneous count of six confirmed objects.

Researchers also think many temporary satellites are fragments that broke away from the permanent Moon. Their models put the average object at 75 centimeters wide and the average stay at around nine months, which fits QQ8’s projected timeline closely.

QQ8’s larger size and longer projected stay make it more conspicuous than the modeled average, but its orbit still remains temporary. Its return depends on another close approach, not on a stable path around Earth.

Mini-moons may be common, but each one is temporary.