Earth has captured a tiny new moon, according to astronomers who confirm that a small asteroid has become Earth’s newest natural satellite, at least for a while.
The object, known as asteroid 2026 QQ8, was first discovered in August by Hungarian astronomer Krisztián Sárneczky. At an estimated diameter of only a meter, the space rock initially caused confusion over whether it was indeed a natural space object or leftover debris from a past space launch.
Since its discovery, the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center confirmed 2026 QQ8’s natural origin, along with new orbital calculations that reveal it will temporarily remain in Earth’s orbit as a new mini moon, albeit a very small one.
“Orbit integrations indicate that this object is temporarily bound to the Earth,” read the announcement appearing in The Minor Planet Electronic Circulars on October 29, 2026.
“No link to a known artificial object has been found,” the Minor Planet Center’s statement added.
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