2025 PN7: NASA Confirms Earth’s New Quasi-Moon

NASA has confirmed the presence of a new quasi-moon orbiting Earth. The object, officially named 2025 PN7, is a small asteroid that has been accompanying Earth on its journey around the Sun since the 1960s. Discovered by the Pan-STARRS observatory in Hawaii, this cosmic neighbour is expected to stay in Earth’s orbit until around 2038, before drifting away into space.

NASA’s Discovery and Observation

The quasi-moon, roughly 19 metres (62 feet) wide, is one of the smallest and least stable companions to Earth ever detected. Unlike the natural Moon, 2025 PN7 is not gravitationally bound to our planet. Instead, it follows a parallel orbit around the Sun, occasionally appearing to loop around Earth due to its unique trajectory. The object’s faintness makes it invisible to the naked eye and observable only through advanced telescopes.

What Makes a Quasi-Moon Different

A quasi-moon differs from a natural satellite as it does not orbit Earth directly. Instead, it shares Earth’s orbital path around the Sun in a synchronised pattern. Scientists classify such objects as part of the Arjuna asteroids, which mirror Earth’s motion through space. Over time, gravitational interactions cause these bodies to drift away, making them temporary visitors rather than permanent moons.

Previous Quasi-Moon Discoveries

The first quasi-satellite, 1991 VG, was discovered in 1991 and initially thought to be an artificial object. Since then, astronomers have identified several others, including Kamo‘oalewa, which has been orbiting Earth for centuries. These discoveries highlight the dynamic and ever-changing nature of Earth’s gravitational environment.

Related GK Facts

• The term “quasi-moon” refers to asteroids that orbit the Sun in sync with a planet.
• Earth currently has at least six known quasi-moons.
• Kamo‘oalewa, discovered in 2016, is one of the most stable quasi-moons known.
• NASA’s Pan-STARRS observatory in Hawaii specialises in tracking near-Earth objects.

Significance of the Discovery

NASA’s identification of 2025 PN7 deepens our understanding of Earth’s celestial companions and the complexity of near-Earth space. These findings contribute to studies on orbital mechanics, asteroid behaviour, and planetary defence, revealing that Earth’s neighbourhood is far more dynamic than previously thought.