2025 PN7: Earth’s Temporary Second Moon — NASA’s Fascinating New Discovery

                                 

2025 PN7 is a recently discovered and highly intriguing celestial object that has captured the attention of scientists across the world. This small asteroid moves in such a way relative to Earth that it appears to be a “second moon.” In astronomical terms, such objects are called quasi-satellites or quasi-moons because they seem to orbit Earth, but in reality, they revolve around the Sun.

                                         

            The object was first detected on August 2, 2025, by the Pan-STARRS Observatory of the University of Hawai‘i, using its advanced telescopes. Astronomers from the university sent detailed findings of this discovery to the American Astronomical Society and NASA, both of which have officially confirmed it.

                                         

             2025 PN7 is a kind of co-traveler of Earth, moving around the Sun at almost the same speed as our planet — a phenomenon known as 1:1 orbital resonance. It always remains near Earth, sometimes slightly ahead, sometimes behind, but it completes its solar orbit in the same time as Earth does. The tiny asteroid has an estimated diameter of 18–19 meters, roughly the size of a large bus — detecting such a small object from Earth is a remarkable scientific achievement.

Its orbit is unique. On average, it stays 1.003 astronomical units from the Sun — just a little farther than Earth. The orbital inclination is only 2 degrees, meaning it moves almost in the same plane as Earth. Its eccentricity is 0.108, showing that its path is not a perfect circle but a slightly elongated ellipse.

When it comes closest to Earth, 2025 PN7 is about 300,000 kilometers away — roughly the same as the average distance to the Moon. Sometimes, it drifts several hundred thousand kilometers farther away, so it is not constantly near Earth but periodically returns to proximity. According to astronomical studies, it has been accompanying Earth in this co-orbital path for the past sixty years and will likely continue until around 2083. After that, minor gravitational influences may alter its orbit, sending it away from Earth.

Unlike the Moon, this object is not a permanent satellite, because it is not gravitationally bound to Earth. The Moon has been orbiting Earth for nearly four billion years, held firmly by Earth’s gravity, whereas 2025 PN7 is not. It independently revolves around the Sun, but its motion is synchronized in such a way that it appears to circle Earth. This temporary relationship is what defines a “quasi-moon.”

One of the most important facts about 2025 PN7 is that it poses no threat to Earth. NASA and University of Hawai‘i scientists have clarified that the asteroid never approaches closer than 400,000 kilometers and there is no chance of it entering Earth’s atmosphere. Therefore, it is considered completely harmless and an ideal subject for study.

From a scientific standpoint, this discovery is of great significance. Such objects help astronomers better understand the dynamics of near-Earth asteroids and the history of the Solar System. They reveal how subtle gravitational interactions maintain delicate orbital balances. Moreover, these co-orbital asteroids could serve as excellent targets for future space missions, since they stay close to Earth and require relatively low fuel to reach.

2025 PN7 belongs to the “Arjuna asteroid group” — a class of small bodies with orbits similar to Earth’s. Several other quasi-moons have been discovered before, such as 3753 Cruithne, 2003 YN107, and 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, all of which have shown similar co-orbital behavior. 2025 PN7 is the newest addition to this fascinating list.

Discoveries like this remind humanity that space around us still holds countless mysteries. Asteroids like 2025 PN7 show that Earth’s cosmic neighborhood is not just filled with the Moon and artificial satellites — it also hosts these tiny cosmic dancers, moving gracefully to the rhythm of the universe. Though small in size, 2025 PN7 greatly expands our astronomical understanding and rekindles human curiosity. It is a temporary yet remarkable companion of Earth, reminding us that in astronomy, the frontier of discovery is truly endless.

Mysterious Comet 3I-ATLAS Emits Water Vapor Far from Sun, Astonishing Scientists

 

According to reports from Washington, a mysterious celestial event has astonished astronomers around the world — the comet 3I/ATLAS (C/2020 R4 ATLAS), which recently entered our solar system, is releasing water vapor into space.

NASA sources have revealed that the comet is ejecting about 40 kilograms of water vapor per second, an unexpectedly intense and extraordinary phenomenon. The comet’s icy particles, which are extremely fine, are being expelled into space. As these ice grains warm up, they release droplets of water in the form of vapor.

What’s even more surprising is that this activity is happening while the comet is located 450 million kilometers away from the Sun — a region of space so cold that ice is not expected to sublimate. NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory recorded that the comet was nearly three times farther from the Sun than the Earth, yet it was still emitting water vapor.

Typically, such a distant comet would remain frozen solid. Therefore, scientists are puzzled by how and why water vapor is being expelled from its nucleus, making this event one of the great mysteries of modern astronomy.

Astronomers believe that Comet ATLAS may have originated from outside our solar system, possibly from an unknown galaxy or interstellar region. Such objects are known as Interstellar Comets — celestial bodies that travel between star systems.

According to NASA, this could be the third known interstellar object to visit our solar system, after ‘Oumuamua (2017) and Borisov (2019).

      The study of this comet could help scientists understand several key questions:

·         How celestial objects travel from one galaxy to another.

·         How water — and possibly life — might have first appeared on early Earth.

In short, Comet ATLAS has become a fascinating cosmic mystery, offering scientists a rare opportunity to explore the hidden chemistry and behaviour of interstellar visitors in our solar system.

WISPIT 2b: Newly Formed Planet in the Universe — Live Planet Formation Observed in Gas-Dust Disk

 

                       Astronomers captured WISPIT 2b, a young planet forming within its star’s gas-dust disk.            The first direct evidence of live planet formation in the universe.

Introduction: Witnessing a Planet Being Born

Stars are born daily in the universe, but witnessing a planet’s formation is extremely rare.

Astronomers recently discovered WISPIT 2b, a live protoplanet still forming within its star’s gas-dust disk. This is the first direct observation of a planet actively growing in its protoplanetary environment.

What is WISPIT 2b?

WISPIT 2b is a Gas Giant orbiting the young star WISPIT 2, which is only 5 million years old. The planet is embedded in a protoplanetary disk of gas and dust the birthplace of planets making it a live example of planet formation.

Planet Composition and Features

• Mass: ~5 times Jupiter
• Orbit: ~54 AU from its star (farther than Pluto in our solar system)
• Detection: Hydrogen-Alpha (Hα)*  imaging, revealing active accretion of gas and dust.

Hα (Hydrogen-Alpha) emission indicates hot gas being pulled onto the forming planet, confirming its growth phase.

             Discovery Method

WISPIT 2b was discovered using advanced telescopes like MagAO-X and the Very Large  Telescope (VLT).

Observations revealed:

• The planet moving along with its star
• Creation of gaps in surrounding disk rings
• These features confirm planet-disk interactions and directly support planet formation theories.

Planet-Disk Interaction

WISPIT 2b demonstrates how planets interact with surrounding gas and dust.

• Generates rings and gaps in the disk
• Facilitates formation of smaller secondary planets
• The system acts as a natural astrophysical laboratory, allowing direct observation of planet formation and disk evolution.

Comparison with Our Solar System

Like how Jupiter formed from gas and dust in our early solar system, WISPIT 2b illustrates the same formation process live. It helps scientists understand how Gas Giants form and their effect on other planets’ development.

Scientific Significance

• First direct evidence of live planet formation
• Critical for studying planet-disk interactions
• Tests planet formation models, including core accretion and gravitational instability

Conclusion

WISPIT 2b is more than a planet — it is a living witness to the birth of new worlds.

It illustrates how planets form in gas-dust disks and establish their orbital positions.

For astronomers, the WISPIT 2 system is a cosmic laboratory where creation can be observed in real time.

Footnote

*Hydrogen-Alpha (Hα) = Red light emitted by hydrogen atoms; used to identify hot gas, stars, nebulae, and forming planets.

Sharad Purnima – The Nectar of Moonlight and Indian Wisdom

 

Introduction

    In Indian culture, every festival and tradition is enriched with religious significance, scientific reasoning, and Ayurvedic wisdom. Sharad Purnima, also known as the full moon of the month of Ashwin (September–October), is one such unique celebration. On this night, the moon is said to shine in its full glory with all sixteen phases and comes closest to the Earth, making its moonlight especially significant.

Scientific and Ayurvedic Importance

    The essence of Sharad Purnima lies in seasonal transition. It marks the end of the monsoon and the onset of autumn (early winter). According to Ayurveda, the body accumulates pitta dosha (heat or bile imbalance) during the monsoon. With autumn’s lingering warmth and humidity, this pitta intensifies, often causing fever, acidity, and skin problems.

    To counter this, ancient traditions combined moonlight therapy with special foods. It is believed that the moon’s rays on Sharad Purnima carry healing properties or amrit tattva (nectar-like elements), which cool the body, ease burning sensations, and restore balance.

The Tradition of Moonlight-Infused Food

    On this night, people prepare milk with rice flakes or kheer and place it under the open sky in moonlight. Scientifically, milk contains lactic acid and rice holds starch, both of which can absorb the moon’s cooling energy. Consuming this moonlight-infused kheer the next morning enhances digestion, balances excess pitta, and boosts immunity. Additionally, storing it in silver vessels adds to its health benefits, as silver has natural antibacterial qualities.

Beyond Rituals

    Sharad Purnima is not just about Raslila or worshipping Goddess Lakshmi. It represents a profound blend of Indian wisdom, science, and Ayurveda. The festival teaches us the importance of adjusting diet and lifestyle according to seasonal changes to maintain health and harmony.

Conclusion

    Thus, Sharad Purnima is more than a festival—it is a reminder of holistic living. By combining spirituality, Ayurveda, and natural science, it continues to guide us towards physical well-being and inner balance.

Will Nuclear Bombs Save the Earth and the Moon?

 

                 Asteroid YR4: A Tiny Rock That Could Spark a Cosmic Crisis

A Small Discovery, Big Concerns

In December 2024, astronomers detected a small asteroid named YR4. At first glance, it seemed like just another space rock, but soon it sent shockwaves across the global scientific community. While it poses no immediate or direct threat to Earth, its potential long-term consequences have deeply worried NASA and other space agencies.

The greatest concern: asteroid YR4 has more than a 4% chance of colliding with the Moon in 2032. The number may look small, but the possible damage is so vast that scientists are considering an extreme defense — the detonation of nuclear weapons.

What If It Hits the Moon?

A lunar collision would not only scare the Moon’s surface but also create a chain reaction with far-reaching effects.

- The impact could hurl enormous amounts of lunar dust and rock fragments into space at incredible speed.

- Some of these debris could travel as far as Earth’s low orbit, where thousands of satellites, space stations, and ongoing missions operate.

- This debris cloud could fill near-Earth space with “space junk,” threatening the safety of current and future missions.

Artemis Mission at Risk

The timing couldn’t be worse. Around the same period, NASA plans to execute its ambitious Artemis Mission to return humans to the Moon.

- Researchers warn that if lunar dust spreads widely, the fine particles could damage spacecraft and astronaut suits.

- Even though there are no immediate plans for permanent lunar settlements, the success of Artemis and lunar rover missions could be put in jeopardy.

The Extreme Solution: Nuclear Defense

To prevent this disaster, NASA scientists and global research teams are seriously exploring a radical plan: blasting asteroid YR4 with a nuclear bomb.

- A detailed study of this proposal was published on the ArXiv preprint server.

- Experts say the ideal time to launch such a mission would be between 2029 and 2031.

- Even if YR4 does not strike the Moon, the mission could serve as a groundbreaking test for defending Earth from future asteroid threats.

Could It Hit Earth?

NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) considers the chances of YR4 colliding with Earth to be extremely low. Still, the possibility cannot be dismissed.

- If YR4 were to strike Earth on December 23, 2032, it could unleash enough energy to wipe out an entire city.

- Such an impact could send 1,000 times more dust into the atmosphere, creating a meteor storm so rare that it might be seen only once in centuries.

Watching and Waiting

For now, scientists are keeping a close eye on asteroid YR4. The world now faces a profound question:

Will humanity take the nuclear option to shield the Moon, protect the Artemis Mission, and secure our cosmic neighborhood?

Or will we be forced to accept the unpredictable risks of nature’s fury?

The Sun – The Eternal Source of Life

 

                In the vast dark expanse of space, our Sun is not just a source of light and warmth for Earth, but the very breath of life itself. Since ancient times, humankind has worshipped it as a deity. Scholars and scientists have studied it for centuries, yet many mysteries of the Sun still remain unsolved. Rising in the east and setting in the west every day, this fiery sphere seems so natural that we can hardly imagine life without it even for a moment. However, during a total solar eclipse, when the Sun is hidden for just a few minutes, its true importance strikes the heart. The sky suddenly turns into night, stars sparkle, animals panic and scatter — and we realise that our very existence depends entirely on this blazing star.

                The Sun was born about 4.6 billion years ago. From a vast cloud of hydrogen and helium, a massive sphere was formed. Under tremendous pressure at its core, nuclear reactions ignited. Even today, every second, over 600 million tons of hydrogen turn into helium, and nearly 4 million tons of matter is converted into energy, radiating into space. Only a tiny fraction of that energy reaches Earth, yet it powers the oceans, the clouds, the growth of plants, and the breath of all living beings.

                  The Sun’s diameter is more than 1.3 million kilometres, meaning over a million Earths could fit inside it. Its surface temperature averages around 6,000°C, but its outer corona burns at millions of degrees — a paradox that still puzzles scientists. If the Sun were the size of a one-foot ball, Earth would be no bigger than a pea orbiting a hundred feet away, while Jupiter would appear like an orange half a kilometre away. This comparison shows how immense our star truly is.

              The Sun is never still. Explosions and fiery flares continuously erupt on its surface. In 1946, one such eruption shot flames as high as 1.6 million kilometres. Fiery arcs of gas race through space at speeds of hundreds of thousands of kilometres per second, sometimes lingering for weeks before being pulled back by gravity. These scenes reveal the Sun’s fury. Meanwhile, dark patches known as sunspots also appear. Though cooler than their surroundings, these spots can be much larger than Earth. Scientists have proven that sunspots follow an 11-year cycle — increasing and decreasing regularly. During periods of intense sunspot activity, solar flares and radiation increase as well, sometimes disrupting radio communications, reducing satellite efficiency, and even affecting Earth’s climate.

                  The Sun’s energy is not limited to light and heat. Every second, it hurls millions of tons of charged particles into space — this flow is called the solar wind. Earth’s magnetic field deflects most of these particles, but some enter near the poles. Colliding with nitrogen and oxygen molecules, they produce glowing lights — the magnificent auroras. In the north, this phenomenon is called Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights), and in the south, Aurora Australis (Southern Lights). These colorful curtains in the sky are nature’s breathtaking artistry.

                Though the Sun feels eternal, it too has a lifespan. So far, it has lived about half its life — another 5 billion years remain. Gradually, it will change. When its hydrogen runs out, the Sun will swell into a Red Giant. Its rays will shift from yellow to deep red, engulfing Mercury and Venus, and perhaps threatening Earth’s survival as well. Eventually, the Sun will shed its outer layers into space, leaving behind only a hot core — a White Dwarf. Over millions of years, even this remnant will cool and fade into a dark, lifeless stone.

Life Cycle of the Sun:

1. About 4.6 billion years ago, there was only a hydrogen cloud where the Sun now shines.

2. The cloud spun rapidly, forming a hydrogen sphere. Gravity pulled in more matter, creating immense pressure at the core, sparking nuclear fusion.

3. Gravity compressed the Sun further, fueling fusion reactions and increasing its brightness.

4. In about 5 billion years, hydrogen near the core will run out. Fusion will begin in the outer layers, and the Sun will expand into a Red Giant.

5. Eventually, the Sun’s outer gases will escape into space, leaving only the hot core behind — a White Dwarf.

6. Its rays will shift from yellow to orange, then to red. If any Earthly life exists then, it will see everything bathed in red light.

7. This will be the Sun’s final form as a Red Giant, having already swallowed Mercury and Venus.

            In time, it will lose its glow and turn black like burnt coal. With it, life on Earth will also end.

            This grand transformation lies about 5 billion years in the future. Across the universe, many stars are already undergoing this process — some becoming Red Giants, others fading into White Dwarfs, while some are already dead, like extinguished embers. Simultaneously, new stars are being born elsewhere. Thus, in the cosmos, creation and destruction never cease.

The Sun in Hindu Cosmology:

            In Hindu tradition and scriptures, the Sun holds a special place. It is not merely a star that gives light and heat, but is revered as the giver of life and the creator of time. The Sun is described as a symbol of vitality and spiritual power, worshipped in various forms as Surya Narayan, Aditya, and more. Daily salutations to the Sun, rituals of worship, and receiving its energy through sunlight are important practices in Hindu culture.

            The measurement of time in Hindu scriptures — day and night, months and years — is deeply connected to the Sun’s movement. Calendars, horoscopes, and festivals are determined by its position. The Sun’s rays bring energy, freshness, and harmony to mind, body, and spirit.

            Worship of the Sun is believed to have positive effects on physical, mental, and spiritual health. In Vedic rituals, Puranas, and various forms of worship, the Sun is central. In Hindu cosmology, it is not seen as just another star, but as a symbol of life, time, and dharma — a cosmic principle that guides both the universe and human existence.

 

 

 

 

The Birth of the Solar System: From Cosmic Dust to Planets

 

In the primitive age, even though cave-dwelling humans had no real knowledge of astronomy, once they learned how to think, their first curiosity arose about the Sun, planets, stars, and comets. They tried to understand the ever-changing map of the sky. As intelligence slowly blossomed, they began to reason and apply logic. This process never stopped, and in time it became possible to gain vast knowledge about space, from the Big Bang to black holes.

Thought is the true beginning. Once we begin to think, countless questions about the mysteries of the Universe arise in the mind, opening new directions for exploration. When we think about the birth of the Solar System (Galaxy), many questions arise naturally:

• In empty space, how and when did the Sun and planets come into being?
• Why are all the planets and the Sun spherical?
• Why do all planets revolve around the Sun continuously?
• If everything was created together, why does only the Sun shine like a star, while planets did not?
• Why are the inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) solid, while the outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) remain gaseous spheres?
• Why is there no planet between Mars and Jupiter, but instead a belt of countless asteroids?

Even the great scientists Galileo and Newton could not answer these questions. They were mainly observers of planetary motion in their own times. In 1610, Galileo used the telescope he built to observe Jupiter and its four large moons for the first time. In 1687, Newton explained the laws of planetary motion through his famous three Laws of Motion. Yet, neither could unravel the mystery of planetary formation.

                                                           

                       In 1755, the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, applying Newton’s law of gravity, suggested that billions of years ago, dust and gas particles in space collided and combined under gravity. Small clumps grew larger and eventually merged into planets. Kant’s hypothesis turned out to be correct. Over time, modern astronomers accepted it as a scientific theory. With further research, they reconstructed the birth of the Solar System step by step.

The sequence begins with the Big Bang, about 13–14 billion years ago, which gave birth to the Universe. After the explosion, the Universe was dark for ages because light had not yet been produced. Light could only emerge once stars were born. In short, the early Universe was starless. But the matter created by the Big Bang kept spreading everywhere. After millions of years, some regions of matter condensed into stars. Suddenly, like switching on a bulb in the pitch-dark night, light appeared for the first time, illuminating space. The first birth of light in the early Universe was a great miracle!

This miraculous process has continued ever since. One by one, stars kept forming—some small, some massive—but all glowing in space. As their numbers increased, they clustered into galaxies. In this process, our own galaxy, the Milky Way, was formed. At that time, however, the Solar System had not yet come into existence.

About 8 billion years into the Milky Way’s age, new stars were still forming. Clouds of gas and dust gradually lit up with the glow of these stars, creating the bright, milky bands across the sky.

                     The birth of our Solar System began when, nearly 5 billion years ago, a nearby massive star exploded as a supernova. Its material spread into space at nearly 12,000 km per second, shining brighter than millions of stars combined. That star met its end, but its shockwaves  rippled across many light years. Our Solar System’s raw material cloud was caught in this violent blast. Thus began a new chapter: the end of one star triggered the birth of another.

                        

The shock compressed the hydrogen gas and dust particles of the nebula, forcing them closer. Some regions swirled more intensely, forming a great rotating disk. At its center, matter accumulated under immense gravity, pressure, and heat. Temperatures rose to about 14 million °C, igniting nuclear fusion. Hydrogen atoms fused into helium, releasing enormous energy. Our Sun was born—a natural nuclear furnace glowing at the center of the Solar System.

Meanwhile, smaller clumps of matter continued forming in the surrounding disk. Dust and ice particles collided, sticking together to form rocks, then planetesimals, then larger planetary bodies. Near the Sun, high heat blew away light gases, leaving behind dense, rocky inner planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Farther away, the cold allowed gases to remain, and massive planets like Jupiter and Saturn captured enormous amounts of hydrogen and helium, becoming giant gas planets.

Between Mars and Jupiter, no planet could form because Jupiter’s strong gravity disrupted the accumulation of material. Instead, countless small bodies remained there—the Asteroid Belt.

Thus, through billions of years of cosmic processes, the Solar System we live in came into being.