NASA Confirms Earth New Quasi-Moon 2025 PN7

Washington, October 22, 2025 

• NASA has confirmed the discovery of 2025 PN7 , a newly identified quasi-moon orbiting alongside Earth. Detected by the Pan-STARRS observatory in Hawaii, the small asteroid — about 19 metres wide — has been accompanying Earth since the 1960s and is expected to remain in orbit until around 2038 .

Unique Orbital Path:

• Unlike the Moon, 2025 PN7 is not gravitationally bound to Earth. It follows a synchronized orbit around the Sun , appearing to loop around our planet due to its relative motion. Classified as part of the Arjuna asteroid group , it acts as a temporary companion before eventually drifting away.

Astronomical Significance:

• 2025 PN7 ranks among the smallest and least stable quasi-moons ever observed. The discovery enhances understanding of near-Earth objects , orbital dynamics , and planetary defence mechanisms.

Background on Quasi-Moons:

• A quasi-moon shares Earth’s orbit around the Sun but is not a true satellite.

• Earth currently has at least six known quasi-moons .

• Kamo‘oalewa , discovered in 2016 , is one of the most stable examples.

• The first such object, 1991 VG , was detected in 1991 .

Why It Matters:

• NASA scientists say 2025 PN7’s discovery offers new insights into Earth’s gravitational environment and the dynamic nature of near-Earth space , showing that our planet’s cosmic neighbourhood is far more active than once believed.