Earth has gained its seventh confirmed quasi-lunar moon, a small asteroid named 2025 PN7. This Apollo-type object was detected in August by the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope in Hawaii. The discovery highlights ongoing astronomical efforts to track near-Earth objects.
Astronomers have identified 2025 PN7 as Earth's latest quasi-lunar moon, bringing the total to seven confirmed instances. This small Apollo-type asteroid was spotted solely through its brightness variations, a detection method that underscores the precision of modern telescopes.
The asteroid was discovered in August 2025 using the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope located in Hawaii. Quasi-lunar moons, or quasi-satellites, are asteroids that temporarily share Earth's orbit around the Sun, appearing to circle the planet from certain perspectives without being gravitationally bound like the Moon.
This finding adds to a historical pattern, as the article notes that during the planning of the first moon landing in the 1960s, another asteroid approached Earth and has lingered in a similar quasi-orbital path ever since. Such objects provide valuable insights into solar system dynamics and potential space resources, though 2025 PN7's small size limits immediate implications.
The discovery was reported on October 24, 2025, emphasizing the role of dedicated observatories in monitoring cosmic visitors.