For decades, astronomers have looked at the night sky and seen one familiar companion — our Moon. But it turns out Earth hasn’t been traveling alone after all. NASA-supported observations have confirmed the discovery of a tiny asteroid called 2025 PN7, a “quasi-moon” that’s been quietly accompanying our planet for more than half a century.
A Hidden Neighbor in Earth’s Orbit
The discovery was made by astronomers using the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope in Hawaii in August 2025. During a routine sky survey, researchers spotted a faint, slow-moving object following a path very similar to Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Further analysis revealed that this object — now officially named 2025 PN7 — is locked in a special gravitational relationship with our planet.
It isn’t orbiting Earth directly like our Moon does. Instead, it orbits the Sun, just as Earth does, but in nearly the same path and speed. This makes it appear to “tag along” with us through space, as if it’s running side by side on the same cosmic racetrack.
Astronomers call such objects “quasi-moons” or “quasi-satellites.” They’re not true moons, but they stay close to Earth for decades or even centuries because of a delicate balance between solar and terrestrial gravity.
What We Know About 2025 PN7
According to preliminary observations, 2025 PN7 is a small asteroid — roughly 15 to 20 meters (about 60 feet) wide. It’s far too dim to be seen with the naked eye, and even large telescopes can only detect it as a faint dot of light.
Scientists estimate that this rocky body has been traveling alongside Earth since the early 1960s, unnoticed until now. Its orbital path wobbles slightly above and below Earth’s plane, and simulations show that it will likely remain our companion until around 2083, before drifting away into the deeper solar system.
For perspective, our Moon is about 3,474 kilometers wide — so 2025 PN7 is tiny in comparison. It doesn’t cause tides, can’t be seen without advanced telescopes, and has no effect on Earth’s stability. But scientifically, it’s a fascinating find.
Not Earth’s First Quasi-Moon
While this discovery sounds like science fiction, it’s not the first time Earth has had a quasi-moon. In fact, astronomers have identified a few others over the years.
One of the best-known examples is 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, a small asteroid discovered in 2016 that also dances around Earth’s orbit. These objects occasionally join and leave Earth’s neighborhood as their orbits slowly shift under the influence of the Sun and other planets.
The discovery of 2025 PN7 adds another member to this small, mysterious family — and gives scientists a rare opportunity to study how such objects move and interact over time.
How Quasi-Moons Work
The concept of a quasi-moon can be tricky to visualize. Imagine running around a circular track (the Sun) with a friend (Earth). Another runner (2025 PN7) jogs just beside you, sometimes slightly ahead, sometimes slightly behind, but always staying close. That’s what’s happening on a cosmic scale.
The asteroid’s orbit around the Sun is almost identical to Earth’s — about one year long — but tilted and stretched just enough to make it appear to loop around Earth as we both move forward together. From our point of view, it seems to orbit us, though technically, it’s orbiting the Sun.
Why This Discovery Matters
Finding a quasi-moon like 2025 PN7 isn’t just a curiosity — it helps astronomers understand the complex gravitational interactions that shape our solar system.
Such objects could also serve as targets for future space missions, since they’re relatively close to Earth and easier to reach than distant asteroids. Studying their composition might reveal clues about the early solar system, or even help refine strategies for asteroid deflection and planetary defense.
A Cosmic Companion for the Next 60 Years
For now, 2025 PN7 will continue to quietly shadow us on our journey around the Sun. It may never shine brightly in our sky, but its presence is a reminder that space is full of surprises and that even in the vastness of our solar system, Earth rarely travels alone.
So yes, you could say Earth has two moons right now. But while one lights up our night sky, the other a small, silent travele is just keeping us company in the dark.
Sources:
EarthSky.org – “Earth’s quasi-moon 2025 PN7”
LiveScience – “Earth’s newest quasi-moon may have been secretly orbiting our planet for decades”
PCWorld – “Earth has had a quasi-moon hidden for 60 years”
NASA JPL Small-Body Database – 2025 PN7 orbital data