Scientists Find Earth’s Hidden Quasi-Moon After 60 Years
ForbesSEP 9
New 'Quasi-Moon' 2025 PN7 Discovered Orbiting Near Earth
Above: A "Corn Moon" rises behind the skyline of Brooklyn in New York City on Sept. 8, 2025. Image copyright: Gary Hershorn/Corbis News/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This is a significant advancement in understanding Earth's cosmic neighborhood and demonstrates the sophisticated capabilities of modern astronomical detection systems. The identification of 2025 PN7 expands the world's knowledge of the asteroid belt and proves that even small celestial objects can maintain stable orbits around Earth for extended periods. These quasi-satellites offer valuable opportunities for future space missions due to their relatively accessible orbits and could serve as stepping stones for asteroid mining operations.
Narrative B
The decades-long oversight of 2025 PN7 highlights concerning gaps in our space surveillance capabilities, particularly for smaller objects that could pose future risks. While this asteroid appears harmless, the fact that a 30-meter object remained undetected so close to Earth raises questions about what other potentially hazardous objects might be lurking unnoticed in our vicinity. The discovery underscores the urgent need for enhanced detection systems to identify all near-Earth objects before they pose a threat.