Earth Has Two Moons: Recently, a news is spreading rapidly on social media that the Earth has now got a second moon. But is it true? According to astronomers, this new body, which is being called 2025 PN7, is actually a Quasi-Moon, i.e. a small asteroid that orbits the Sun along with the Earth and is not its true satellite like the Earth.
How did Earth get a new quasi-moon?
According to the report of the American Astronomical Society of America, 2025 PN7 was discovered by the Hawaii-based Pan-STARRS Observatory in August 2025. This small body is rotating in coordination with the Earth’s orbit and scientists believe that it will continue its orbital journey with the Earth for about 50 years.
Although it is being described as “Earth’s second moon” on social media, scientists have made it clear that this claim is misleading. According to the report of Economic Times, 2025 PN7 does not revolve around the Earth but revolves around the Sun, only its speed and path are very close to the Earth, due to which it seems as if it is rotating with the Earth.
How big is this 2025 PN7 Asteroid?
According to scientists, this asteroid is about 19 meters (about 62 feet) wide. It has been present in Earth’s orbit since the 1950s, but due to its size and low brightness (magnitude 26) it could not be seen until now.
Astronomers Carlos and Raul de la Fuente Marcos, who discovered it, say that such a dim body cannot be seen with an amateur telescope. Its identification will help scientists understand how small objects moving near the Earth behave.
What is the difference between a quasi-moon and a real moon?
The real Moon of the Earth is a permanent satellite bound by our gravitational force which revolves around the Earth all the time. At the same time, the quasi-moon is not bound by the Earth’s gravity.
It passes near the Earth’s path while revolving around the Sun and moves in synchronized orbit with its orbit. For this reason, it appears to us as if it is revolving around the Earth, whereas in reality it is revolving around the Sun.
Have such quasi-moons been found before?
According to scientists, even before 2025 PN7, some quasi-moons have been discovered, such as Kamoʻoalewa and 2023 FW13, which rotate in a similar manner with the Earth.
But what makes 2025 PN7 special is its long stay with the Earth. It will remain in sync with our orbit till about 2083, after which it will gradually move into the depths of space.
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