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A small asteroid, 2024 PW7, is currently orbiting the Sun in a way that makes it appear to circle Earth, leading some to dub it Earth’s “quasi-satellite.” While not a true moon,this celestial companion offers a unique opportunity for scientific study. This phenomenon, first reported in late 2023, has sparked interest but doesn’t pose any threat to our planet.
What is a Quasi-Satellite?
Not a Moon, But a Companion
Discovered by the Pan-STARRS telescope at the Haleakalā Observatory in Hawaii, asteroid 2024 PW7 is a relatively small space rock, estimated to be between 18 and 36 meters in diameter. Its orbit around the Sun is synchronized with Earth’s,creating the illusion of it orbiting our planet. However, crucially, it doesn’t orbit Earth directly. As explained by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory,quasi-satellites “orbit the Sun,but their orbit keeps them in a stable configuration relative to Earth.”