News Desk: NASA has confirmed the discovery of a rare celestial companion — a small asteroid named 2025 PN7 — that moves almost in sync with Earth as it circles the Sun. Though not bound by Earth’s gravity like the Moon, the asteroid follows a remarkably similar orbit, earning it the title of a “quasi-moon.”
According to reports, 2025 PN7 measures between 18 and 36 meters wide, roughly the height of a small building. Unlike the Moon, which directly orbits Earth, this asteroid trails alongside our planet on its solar path, much like a “friendly runner” keeping pace on the same cosmic track.
Also Read: Debabrata Saikia Urges Gauhati High Court to Form Special Bench to Oversee Zubeen Garg Death Probe
Astronomers estimate that the object has been accompanying Earth for about 60 years and could continue doing so until around 2083, before gradually drifting away into space. At its closest approach, it comes within 4 million kilometers — about ten times the distance between Earth and the Moon — and can move as far as 17 million kilometers away, influenced by the Sun’s gravity and nearby planets.
The asteroid was first detected earlier this year by the University of Hawaii during a routine telescope survey. After weeks of observation, NASA confirmed its synchronized orbit, classifying it as a quasi-moon — one of only eight such objects known to exist.
Scientists say studying these rare companions can help them better understand near-Earth asteroids, gravitational dynamics, and potential future space mission targets.
While 2025 PN7 is too small and distant to be visible to the naked eye, its discovery underscores the ever-changing and dynamic nature of Earth’s cosmic neighborhood — a silent traveler faithfully sharing our journey around the Sun.
