NASA has recently confirmed that Earth has a temporary second moon, known as a quasi-moon or quasi-satellite, designated as asteroid 2025 PN7. This small asteroid, measuring approximately 18 to 36 meters in diameter, has been traveling near Earth’s orbit since the 1960s and will continue to accompany Earth until around 2083. Unlike the Moon, which is gravitationally bound to Earth, 2025 PN7 orbits the Sun with a path nearly synchronous to Earth, making it look like a second moon from our perspective but it is not a true moon. It poses no danger to Earth as it maintains a safe distance, coming as close as about 4 million kilometers, which is nearly 10 times farther than the Moon.
Other recent NASA confirmations include the presence of liquid water flowing intermittently on Mars, observed by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. This discovery strengthens the possibility of past or present microbial life on the Red Planet.
NASA also confirmed that the International Space Station (ISS) will be deorbited in a controlled manner likely by 2030.
Finally, NASA announced reaching the milestone of confirming 6,000 exoplanets outside our solar system, significantly expanding knowledge of planets beyond Earth.
Among these, the most highlighted recent confirmation is Earth’s acquisition of the temporary second moon, asteroid 2025 PN7.
Sources
https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/nasa-confirms-discovery-of-2025-pn7-earths-temporary-second-moon/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/nasa-confirms-earth-now-two-213956357.html
https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/nasa-confirms-discovery-of-2025-pn7-earths-temporary-second-moon/
https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanets/
https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/what-is-2025-pt-7-nasa-confirms-earth-has-a-new-second-moon-until-2083-1820003511-1
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/nasa-confirms-strongest-geomagnetic-storm-of-the-year-where-to-see-auroras-and-what-scientists-warn-could-happen-next/articleshow/125156428.cms
https://economictimes.com/news/international/us/nasa-confirms-earth-has-a-second-moon-and-it-will-stay-with-us-until-2083/articleshow/124724834.cms
