Archive · 27 Oct 2025
New Quasi-Moon: Asteroid 2025 PN7 to Orbit Earth
Astronomers discovered an asteroid, 2025 PN7, that is a quasi-moon of Earth.
It's not a true moon, but appears to orbit us.
This asteroid orbits the Sun, but follows a similar path as Earth, appearing to stay with us.
Its orbit is oval-shaped, causing it to appear closer or farther from us, changing speed.
This quasi-moon will eventually change its orbit.
It's too small to see without a telescope.
Asteroid 2025 PN7 is a newly identified quasi-moon of Earth.
It will orbit Earth until the year 2083.
Quasi-moons are not true moons but share orbits similar to Earth.
The asteroid was identified using images from the Pan-STARRS telescope.
The orbit will eventually change, becoming a 'horseshoe' orbit.
- Who
- Astronomers
- What
- Identified asteroid 2025 PN7 as a quasi-moon
- When
- Orbiting Earth until approximately 2083
- Where
- Haleakala Observatory, Hawaii
- Why
- Its orbit is very similar to Earth's
- Object
- Asteroid 2025 PN7
- Type
- Quasi-moon
- Orbit Duration
- Until 2083
- Discovery Date
- August 29, using Pan-STARRS telescope
- Brightness
- Magnitude 26