The discovery of a new celestial object in the Earth's neighborhood has sparked online discussions about whether the planet now has a second moon in its orbit. While this idea may seem exciting, it is still far from reality.
Any thoughts that Earth is now going to be like Pandora, the planet from "Avatar" where multiple moons can be seen in the sky at night, are sadly just science fiction. We still only have our one natural satellite, located 239,000 miles away from Earth. However, the discovery of asteroid 2025 PN7 in August has excited astronomers and fueled conversations about a potential second moon.
Here's what you need to know:
Does Earth Have Two Moons?
Earth does not have two moons. Asteroid 2025 PN7 is classified as a quasi-moon because it orbits the sun in a similar path to Earth. This means it appears to follow the same trajectory as our planet, but it is not gravitationally bound to Earth like the Moon.
Multiple quasi-moons have been discovered over the years. Since the 1990s, the number of known asteroids in Earth-like orbits has exceeded 100, according to the American Astronomical Society.
What is Asteroid 2025 PN7?
The asteroid was discovered in August by Pan-STARRS, a group of cameras and telescopes located at Haleakalā Observatory in Hawaii, according to the American Astronomical Society.
"PN7 is a tiny asteroid roughly 60 feet across that is temporarily traveling in a similar orbit to Earth’s orbit, getting as close as 186,000 miles," Mike Shanahan, planetarium director at New Jersey's Liberty Science Center, tells BrowBrow. "It’s been traveling alongside Earth for 60 years but is so small it was not discovered until this last August."
This asteroid is considered a quasi-moon because its orbit mimics the Earth's for a period of time. Other objects are known as mini-moons because they orbit the Earth for a handful of months and then move on their way. Quasi-moons, on the other hand, can remain in the same orbit for more than 100 years.
How Long Will Asteroid 2025 PN7 Be in Earth's Orbit?
"We part company in 2083," Shanahan said, so we have 58 more years of the asteroid keeping us company.
Is the Asteroid a Danger to Earth?
According to Shanahan, the asteroid poses no threat to Earth. It is so small and distant that it is not a concern for our planet.
Can You See the Quasi-Moon in the Sky?
Unless you have a high-powered telescope and cameras like the ones at Haleakalā Observatory, you cannot see it. "It's way too faint to be seen by regular telescopes, let alone the naked eye," Shanahan said.
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