Does Earth have 2 moons? Not precisely. Here’s what to know

• NASA has confirmed a small asteroid named 2025 PN7 is a quasi-moon of Earth.
• The area rock orbits the solar at an analogous tempo to Earth, making it seem to comply with our planet.
• This quasi-moon is anticipated to stay in Earth’s neighborhood till round 2083.

Earth simply received a brand new plus one in area.

NASA confirmed {that a} small asteroid named 2025 PN7 is formally a quasi-moon, which means it isn’t an actual moon however quite a cosmic tag-along that’s been pacing Earth’s orbit for a lot of a long time.

Discovered by the University of Hawaii, this area rock is about 18 to 36 meters huge however strikes in sync with the Earth.

However, you gained’t see it lighting up the evening sky anytime quickly because it swings shut sufficient to appear prefer it’s following us, but it surely’s truly preserving its distance.

Here is all the things to know concerning the “second moon.”

Does Earth have 2 moons?

Not precisely. Earth nonetheless has one true moon, but it surely not too long ago picked up the “quasi-moon,” a small asteroid named 2025 PN7. This area rock doesn’t orbit Earth immediately just like the moon does. Instead, it loops across the solar at practically the identical tempo as we do, making it appear like it is following our planet by way of area.

How lengthy will 2nd moon comply with Earth?

NASA says that 2025 PN7 has most likely been tagging together with us for about 60 years already. It’s anticipated to remain in Earth’s gravitational neighborhood till round 2083 earlier than drifting away.

How does having 2 moons have an effect on Earth?

The “second moon” gained’t have an effect on us in any means. 2025 PN7 by no means comes nearer than about 4 million kilometers; that’s 10 instances farther than the moon, so it poses no menace to Earth and has no influence on tides, gravity or day-to-day life.

It’s essential affect is scientific, serving to astronomers higher perceive how asteroids transfer.

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