NASA Confirms Discovery of Earth’s Temporary Second Moon – 2025 PN7

NASA has confirmed the discovery of 2025 PN7, a tiny asteroid acting as Earth’s temporary second moon. This quasi-moon travels around the Sun on a path similar to Earth’s, staying close but never colliding. Scientists say it’s been near Earth for decades and could remain until 2083, offering new insights into how asteroids move and interact with our planet’s orbit.

NASA Confirms Discovery of Earth’s Temporary Second Moon – 2025 PN7

Key Points

• NASA has confirmed asteroid 2025 PN7 as Earth’s new quasi-moon.
• It is 18–36 metres wide, roughly the height of a small building.
• The asteroid travels around the Sun, not Earth, but follows a similar path.
• Comes as close as 4 million km and as far as 17 million km from Earth.
• Poses no danger — it will never collide with our planet.
• First discovered by astronomers at the University of Hawaii in 2025.
• NASA says it has been near Earth for about 60 years and may stay till 2083.
• Quasi-moons orbit the Sun but appear to “follow” Earth due to their unique trajectory.
• Scientists study them to understand orbital mechanics and for future space missions.
• Only eight quasi-moons have been confirmed by NASA so far.

Question & Answer

Q1. What is the name of Earth’s newly discovered temporary second moon?
(a) 2025 PL5
(b) 2025 PN7
(c) 2025 PS9
(d) 2025 PM3
Answer: 2025 PN7

Q2. Who confirmed the discovery of asteroid 2025 PN7?
(a) ISRO
(b) NASA
(c) European Space Agency
(d) SpaceX
Answer: NASA

Q3. How large is asteroid 2025 PN7?
(a) 5–10 metres
(b) 10–20 metres
(c) 18–36 metres
(d) 50–100 metres
Answer: 18–36 metres

Q4. How close does 2025 PN7 come to Earth?
(a) 400,000 km
(b) 4 million km
(c) 17 million km
(d) 40 million km
Answer: 4 million km

Q5. What is a quasi-moon?
(a) A satellite orbiting Earth directly
(b) A small celestial body orbiting the Sun but following Earth’s path
(c) A moon made of ice and dust
(d) A captured comet
Answer: A small celestial body orbiting the Sun but following Earth’s path

Q6. Until when is 2025 PN7 expected to stay near Earth?
(a) 2050
(b) 2065
(c) 2083
(d) 2100
Answer: 2083

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