Earth Has Two Moons: Lately, a information is spreading quickly on social media that the Earth has now acquired a second moon. However is it true? In accordance with astronomers, this new physique, which is being referred to as 2025 PN7, is definitely a Quasi-Moon, i.e. a small asteroid that orbits the Solar together with the Earth and isn’t its true satellite tv for pc just like the Earth.
How did Earth get a brand new quasi-moon?
In accordance with the report of the American Astronomical Society of America, 2025 PN7 was found by the Hawaii-based Pan-STARRS Observatory in August 2025. This small physique is rotating in coordination with the Earth’s orbit and scientists consider that it’ll proceed its orbital journey with the Earth for about 50 years.
Though it’s being described as “Earth’s second moon” on social media, scientists have made it clear that this declare is deceptive. In accordance with the report of Financial Instances, 2025 PN7 doesn’t revolve across the Earth however revolves across the Solar, solely its velocity and path are very near the Earth, resulting from which it appears as whether it is rotating with the Earth.
How large is that this 2025 PN7 Asteroid?
In accordance with scientists, this asteroid is about 19 meters (about 62 toes) vast. It has been current in Earth’s orbit for the reason that Nineteen Fifties, however resulting from its measurement and low brightness (magnitude 26) it couldn’t be seen till now.
Astronomers Carlos and Raul de la Fuente Marcos, who found it, say that such a dim physique can’t be seen with an novice telescope. Its identification will assist scientists perceive how small objects transferring close to the Earth behave.
What’s the distinction between a quasi-moon and an actual moon?
The actual Moon of the Earth is a everlasting satellite tv for pc sure by our gravitational drive which revolves across the Earth on a regular basis. On the similar time, the quasi-moon isn’t sure by the Earth’s gravity.
It passes close to the Earth’s path whereas revolving across the Solar and strikes in synchronized orbit with its orbit. Because of this, it seems to us as whether it is revolving across the Earth, whereas in actuality it’s revolving across the Solar.
Have such quasi-moons been discovered earlier than?
In accordance with scientists, even earlier than 2025 PN7, some quasi-moons have been found, resembling Kamoʻoalewa and 2023 FW13, which rotate in an identical method with the Earth.
However what makes 2025 PN7 particular is its lengthy stick with the Earth. It is going to stay in sync with our orbit until about 2083, after which it can steadily transfer into the depths of house.
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