You may have heard a lot of online chatter about Earth’s two moons recently, but that doesn’t quite get the discovery right.
Earth still only has one true natural satellite — our 2,159-mile-wide moon oribiting about 239,000 miles away. However, experts recently found the latest of the planet’s quasi-moons; a small body that has been traveling with Earth for decades.
Newly discovered asteroid 2025 PN7 joins Earth’s seven confirmed quasi-moons, according to EarthSky and the Planetary Society.
The asteroids are known as quasi-moons because they mimic the moon, appearing to orbit Earth as they pass through the planet’s path while orbiting the sun, the Planetary Society said.
Here’s what to know about the newly discovered quasi-moon.
What is asteroid 2025 PN7?
2025 PN7 is a small, dim asteroid that appears to orbit Earth, according to EarthSky. Believed to be a piece of the moon that blasted out, the object has been in its orbit as a quasi-moon for about 60 years and is expected to continue for another 60 years or so years before drifting away.
How did scientists discover the asteroid?
The Pan-STARRS observatory in Hawaii was the first to spot the asteroid. The object was then reported to the Minor Planet Center, the official authority for observing and reporting new asteroids, comets and other small bodies in the solar system, and given the name 2025 PN7.
Can you see 2025 PN7 in Michigan skies?
If you’d like to see the quasi-moon in Michigan skies this fall, you’ll need a good telescope, Live Science said. At magnitude 26, the asteroid appears quite dim and it’s small, too, with a width of 62 feet.
What makes the asteroid a quasi-moon?
2025 PN7 is among those asteroids that orbit the sun, but appear to orbit the Earth like the moon, leading it to be considered a quasi-moon, according to Live Science and the Planetary Society. The Earth’s gravity hasn’t truly captured the small body.
How many quasi-moons surround Earth?
Earth has seven confirmed temporary quasi-moons, the Planetary Society said.
Mini-moon uncovered last year
In August 2024, scientists discovered asteroid 2024 PT5, a mini-moon that temporarily orbited the Earth in fall 2024.
So, what makes a “mini-moon” different from a “quasi-moon?” While quasi-moons are a permanent celestial neighbor, mini-moons are simply temporary visitors, according to the Planetary Society.
USA TODAY contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Does Earth have 2 moons? What to know about newly found quasi-moon
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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