Should Earth’s newly discovered quasi-moon be considered a true second moon?
Earth’s “Second Moon†May Stick Around Until 2083, Say Astronomers
In 2025, astronomers confirmed the presence of a near-Earth object named 2025 PN7, which follows a solar orbit nearly identical to Earth’s. Because of this unusual orbital resonance, it appears to travel alongside Earth, making it a “quasi-moon.†Unlike our true Moon, 2025 PN7 is not gravitationally bound to Earth but may continue to co-orbit with our planet until around 2083. The announcement sparked widespread interest and confusion, with headlines claiming that Earth now has “two moons.†While technically not accurate in astronomical terms, the discovery raises fascinating questions about what constitutes a moon, the behavior of near-Earth objects, and how we define our cosmic neighbors. This poll asks how the public perceives this unique orbital phenomenon.
Options
- Yes — it orbits with us
- No — only gravitational moons count
- It’s complicated
- Never heard of it