In a revelation that sounds like a plot from a science fiction movie, NASA has confirmed that Earth indeed has a second moon, albeit in a unique form. This discovery, made by the University of Hawaii, clarifies that our planet has been accompanied by this celestial body since the 1960s, and it is expected to remain until around 2083.
The moon we are familiar with is believed to be several billion years old, having formed from debris after a colossal impact with Earth. This material coalesced to create the moon, which is located approximately 384,000 kilometers away from our planet. Initially molten, it eventually solidified into the shape we recognize today. The moon has a radius of 1,740 kilometers, making it less than a third the size of Earth. Its orbit around our planet is completed approximately every 27 days, but due to Earth”s rotation, it appears to take about 29 days from our perspective. Additionally, the moon is gradually moving away from Earth at a rate of about one inch per year.
Now, focusing on the newly identified second moon, it is classified as a “quasi-moon.” This small celestial companion is not a true moon in the traditional sense, as it does not orbit Earth directly. Instead, dubbed 2025 PN7, this asteroid-like structure measures between 18 to 36 meters in width. It orbits the sun while maintaining a synchronized path with Earth, functioning more like a temporary companion than a permanent satellite. This quasi-moon has been in Earth”s vicinity for approximately 60 years and will continue to do so until it drifts away around 2083.
Unlike the traditional moon, 2025 PN7 does not influence tides or gravity. It hovers roughly 4 million kilometers away, resembling a silent hitchhiker, often unnoticed unless one is paying close attention. Throughout the years, astronomers have confirmed only eight such quasi-moons, offering insights into the movements of asteroids and the interactions within our gravitational sphere.
This discovery emphasizes the dynamic nature of our solar system and the intriguing phenomena that accompany our planet.
