Do we really have two moons until 2083? Here’s what’s actually orbiting with us
The internet is buzzing after reports claimed NASA confirmed Earth now has two moons.
But before you picture a new glowing orb in the sky, scientists say that’s not exactly the case.
What researchers actually discovered is a small asteroid following Earth’s orbit, one that’s been traveling alongside us for decades without anyone noticing.
It’s not a true moon, but it moves almost in sync with our planet, earning it the nickname “quasi-moon.”
Here’s what to know.
Why do people think Earth has a second moon?
The headlines started after scientists announced the discovery of a small asteroid they called 2025 PN7.
The object was first spotted by the University of Hawaii’s Pan-STARRS observatory, and NASA later confirmed it moves through space in almost perfect step with Earth.
That’s what led to talk of a “second moon,” even though this object isn’t technically orbiting our planet the way the real moon does.
Astronomers say 2025 PN7 has likely been traveling alongside Earth since the 1960s, quietly looping around the Sun on a path that mirrors ours.
So what exactly is a quasi-moon?
A quasi-moon isn’t locked to Earth by gravity like our moon. Instead, it circles the sun while staying close enough to Earth that it looks like it’s keeping pace.
Think of it like a runner matching your stride on the same track, nearby but never touching.
NASA says 2025 PN7 is only 18 to 36 meters wide, about the size of a small building. Tiny by cosmic standards, but large enough to detect how smaller celestial bodies move alongside planets like ours.
Scientists call these rare objects “co-orbital companions,” meaning they share Earth’s general orbit but aren’t truly captured by its gravity.
How long will this mini space companion stick around?
Astronomers estimate the asteroid will continue shadowing Earth until about 2083, according to research published in IOP Science.
After that, gravitational forces from the sun and nearby planets will likely pull it away, sending it drifting back into open space.
That means 2025 PN7 will remain our temporary travel partner for nearly 60 more years before it moves on.
Can we actually see it from Earth?
Not without serious equipment. The asteroid is far too small and dim to be visible to the naked eye, even with binoculars.
At its closest, 2025 PN7 comes within about 4 million kilometers of Earth, which is roughly 10 times farther than the moon. When it’s at its farthest, it drifts up to 17 million kilometers away.
So, while it’s fun to imagine two moons lighting up the night sky, this one won’t be visible anytime soon.
Should we worry about it?
No, NASA says there’s no danger. 2025 PN7 isn’t on a collision course with Earth, and there’s no evidence that it poses any threat.
In fact, scientists welcome objects like this because they help improve predictions for how asteroids move and how Earth’s gravity shapes space around us.
Astronomers have found only a handful of these quasi-moons, making each discovery a valuable clue in understanding our solar neighborhood.
This story was originally published October 27, 2025 at 4:57 PM.
