Astronomers have identified a peculiar “moon” that casts a shadow on Earth as it navigates through space. Dubbed quasi-moons, these entities don’t orbit our planet in a traditional manner, yet they maintain proximity as they travel around the sun.
According to a new study published in the American Astronomical Society Research Notes, this space rock may have been a companion to Earth for as long as 60 years.
The object, identified as 2025 PN7, is small enough that it might have evaded earlier detections. While its exact dimensions remain uncertain, researchers estimate it to be around 30 meters (98 feet) in diameter—approximately the wingspan of a typical short-haul airliner—making it the tiniest known quasi-moon associated with Earth.
“With rapid technological progress, we’re identifying near-Earth objects faster than ever,” said Dr. Darren Baskill, an astronomy lecturer at the University of Sussex, in BBC Science Focus. “The sensitivity of digital cameras has improved, allowing us to detect these faint objects, and computers can effectively process vast data sets.”
At its closest approach, this object comes within 300,000 km (186,400 miles) of Earth. Usually, it remains about 384,000 km (238,600 miles) away, but its horseshoe-shaped orbit can take it as far as 297 million km (185 million miles) from our planet.
Consequently, it’s only detectable when nearby, as occurred in August 2025, when researchers from Spain’s Complutense University of Madrid spotted it from the PanSTARRS Observatory in Hawaii.
Upon reviewing historical records, scientists identified it as a potential Earth companion for decades.
“The primary question is, where did 2025 PN7 originate?” Baskill noted. “At its closest, 2025 PN7 will be roughly the same distance from Earth as the Moon, providing insights into the Moon’s possible origin.
“Another clue can be observed on a clear night: the Moon is full of craters. Each impact casts debris into the atmosphere, and some material may escape the Moon’s gravity and be launched into space.”
Moon’s craters offer clues to the origin of space rocks – Photo credit: Getty
Another hypothesis suggests that the space rock originated in the asteroid belt, but Baskill states, “It’s challenging to gather sufficient light from such a moving object to determine its chemical composition and origin.”
He further added, “Astronomers must be patient and wait to observe PN7 when it’s at its brightest, closest to Earth.”
2025 PN7 is just one of seven quasi-satellites currently orbiting near Earth. The other is the space rock Kamooarewa, which is the target of China’s Tianwen-2 mission. Launched in May 2025, Tianwen-2 aims to collect samples from asteroids to understand more about Earth’s origins and asteroid formation.
“These near-Earth objects, due to their occasional close passes, might become prime targets for the inaugural mining operations beyond Earth, or even enter Earth’s atmosphere,” Baskill remarked.
PN7 will remain in existence until 2085 when it will be pulled from orbit by gravitational forces.
A TikTok video features a young man showcasing a pile of $100 bills. Another appears with designer clothing, while a third man dances, flaunting a heavy gold chain. They brag to their devoted followers about their journey to wealth.
One caption in the video reads, “BM got me a new car,” and another boasts, “$5,000 in just a few hours.”
Unlike traditional influencers focused on travel, brands, or culinary delights, their appeal hinges on criminal activities. All individuals in question are based in Nigeria, and their fraudulent schemes target social media users, predominantly in the US and other Western nations, manipulating romantic interests and victimizing individuals by spreading explicit images.
The intimidation escalates with the distribution of the victims’ images alongside demands for money.
The self-proclaimed con artist identifies as “BM Boys,” where “BM” refers to a chilling term for predatory schemes. Hundreds of young men from West Africa are involved in these operations. Their videos, flaunting lavish lifestyles, have attracted hundreds, if not thousands, of followers on TikTok, garnering admiration and igniting ambitions among other young men eager to join the scams.
“Please tell me the boss [the] one!” a follower commented on a popular BM boys TikTok. “[In] Please give me the name of God. Share your job details.”
Some BM Boys accounts have amassed hundreds of thousands of followers. The Guardian has identified 22 TikTok accounts run by these self-proclaimed BM Boys and interviewed a 24-year-old Nigerian man who has been actively involved for eight years, claiming to have raised nearly $100,000 from victims during that time.
“For me, it’s straightforward,” said one scammer who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss illegal activities. “We’re always on our phones—if you’re not working, you won’t eat.”
Finding Victims on Instagram and Flexing on TikTok
One of the primary targets for BM Boys is teenage boys in the United States and beyond. According to a 2023 report by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), financial sextortion cases involving minors rose sharply, totaling 26,718 from just 10,731 in 2022. Since 2021, at least 46 American teens have died by suicide after being victims of these scams.
In 2024, Meta announced that it had deleted 63,000 Instagram accounts reportedly linked to sextortion schemes from Nigeria. Despite this crackdown, Instagram remains a platform where perpetrators can identify and engage potential targets, as noted by human trafficking experts. Meanwhile, TikTok serves as a showcase for BM Boys, allowing them to flaunt their success and recruit newcomers.
“Others are eager to join these scams because they see the profits. They flaunt money, luxurious clubs, and travels,” says Paul Rafil, an expert in online exploitation. “They exploit these platforms and their influencer status to generate income.”
These individuals lead enviable lifestyles, often employing experienced figures known as “bosses” who manage new scammers termed “talks.” Rafil explains that these bosses take a cut of the profits.
“These ‘talks’ are tasked with creating fake social media profiles, engaging potential victims online,” Rafil elaborated. “But when it comes to transferring money through cash apps, Bitcoin wallets, and other financial methods, the bosses take the reins.”
A TikTok spokesperson stated, “We designed TikTok for creativity and do not tolerate any content or behavior that promotes sextortion, as it is harmful to teens.”
Tips and Tricks for Blackmailing
A critical aspect of their scheme involves building trust by creating a façade that their interactions are with attractive women in the same locale as their targets. Many BM Boys post “BM Updates” on TikTok, providing tips and education to followers on improving their sextortion techniques.
“Millions aspire to get into this. If you don’t learn it, you won’t succeed,” remarked one scammer who regularly shares BM updates and has a growing follower base.
BM updates include copying scripts, sharing pictures of girls to impersonate, tutorials on hacking social media accounts, and advice on utilizing Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to avoid detection. They also provide scripts for creating menacing audio messages to coerce victims into compliance and guidance on where to find potential targets, including dating sites.
To connect with victims, offenders often use tactics termed “bombing,” where they infiltrate various online communities, including those related to schools, sports teams, and popular culture. They frequently discuss country music stars, Hollywood celebrities, or fans of popular shows, sharing insights on how to target such demographics.
“They do this for two reasons: to scam those who accept their follow requests and to make their fake accounts seem more legitimate when mutual friends exist,” Rafil noted. “Often they’ll say, ‘Oh, I discovered you through mutual suggestions on Instagram.’
To bolster their credibility as Americans, BM Boys avidly consume American news, sports, and pop culture content, according to a scary mailer.
Through thousands of attempts, these scripts and strategies have evolved into high-pressure systems designed to lure victims into compromising situations. They usually initiate image exchanges by sending stolen nude photos from sites where sex workers create content, Rafil mentioned.
Perpetrators then demand between $500 and $3,000, threatening to share explicit images with the victim’s social media connections. They employ fear tactics by editing victims’ photos into fake newspaper headlines or broadcast news images.
“Sometimes I call them to let them know who they’re dealing with. When the victim sees his photos on TV or in the news, they’ll think, ‘Oh, I can’t block this person,’” he claimed. “They’ll see it featured in trashy news broadcasts,” he mentioned.
No Remorse, Only Money
It’s no accident that threatening individuals flaunt their exploits on TikTok. One con artist expressed skepticism about reports indicating that numerous US teens have died by suicide following sextortion targeting.
“I don’t feel guilty; that’s not the sole reason for their suicides. I’m not sure if BM is responsible for these tragedies,” said the scammer. “If someone tells me they’re considering suicide, I assume they’re joking.”
He recounted how he was orphaned as a child when his mother died during childbirth, leading him to view sexual exploitation as merely a job despite its emotional toll.
“When I take a photo, I feel nothing for the victim. I must survive as a living being,” he remarked.
This lack of remorse shown by BM Boys has caused immense trauma for families, such as John Demay’s. In 2022, her son Jordan took his life at 17 after being targeted by three Nigerian men on Instagram who impersonated teenage girls. Two of them, Samuel Ogosi and his younger brother Samson Ogosi, have since been extradited to the US and are now serving a 17-year, six-month prison sentence.
During sentencing, the judge described the brothers as exhibiting “a blatant disregard for life,” noting that they continued their sextortion scheme even after learning of Jordan’s suicide.
“They continued their activities using the same script and attitude, fully aware that Jordan had ended his life as a consequence of their actions,” Demay stated.
Experts emphasize that the balance between privacy and safety on social media for children must differ from that of adults, urging platforms to strengthen protections for minors.
“You’re working with youth who may act impulsively. They might not respond adequately to warnings. Given their vulnerability, proactive measures are crucial,” they recommend.
Meta has implemented various changes recently to safeguard younger users. In a statement, the company mentions alerting teens when they interact with users from different countries, and blurring explicit images sent from minor accounts.
A Meta spokesperson commented, “Sextortion is a heinous crime. We have the ability to dismantle networks of fraudsters, share information with other companies, and support law enforcement in prosecuting these offenders.”
Since September, Instagram has established default privacy settings for accounts, making it harder for unauthorized individuals to view follower lists. However, when a teen accepts a friendship request, their follower list remains accessible. Enhancing privacy further, such as restricting follower lists from even approved followers, could better protect teens from being targeted by sextortionists, Rafil pointed out. “It shouldn’t be as easy as flipping through a directory to find a teenage boy or girl.”
Demay expressed that social media companies “have the ability to implement necessary safeguards within their platforms but have chosen not to do so.”
Shapewear, also known as body shaping underwear, has gained immense popularity in recent years. In a society that values appearance and self-image, shapewear is seen as a quick and affordable solution to boost self-confidence by enhancing the fit and look of various outfits.
Functioning like a modern corset, shapewear targets areas like the waist, hips, thighs, and buttocks to compress and shape them, aiming to improve the fit of clothes and provide a sleeker silhouette, as suggested by marketing claims.
With advancements in fabric technology, modern shapewear is now more comfortable and breathable than ever before, appealing to a wide range of individuals seeking aesthetic and functional support for various occasions. It has become increasingly popular, especially with the rise of social media influencing body image awareness.
Unlike traditional shapewear made from rigid materials like steel and whalebone, modern shapewear uses breathable and stretchy fabrics such as spandex, nylon, and lycra. It is now popular among both men and women for its comfort and effectiveness.
Available in different styles and compression levels, shapewear caters to various needs. Certain types, such as waist cinchers and tummy control panties, target specific body parts to provide support and shape.
In addition to these, there are thigh shapers, torso-compressing camisoles, butt lifters with padding, and leg and arm shapers. Some companies even offer full bodysuits with built-in bras for total body shaping.
Sports compression clothing, while similar, focuses on enhancing athletic performance and muscle support rather than aesthetic enhancement. Designed with advanced breathable fabrics and graduated compression, sports compression wear is intended for physical activity and recovery periods.
Although shapewear appears to offer a convenient way to enhance confidence and fit, it does come with certain drawbacks to consider. Issues like digestive problems, circulatory and neurological issues, breathing problems, and skin irritation can arise from wearing shapewear, particularly if it is too tight.
When choosing shapewear, it’s important to select a comfortable fit that doesn’t restrict movement and to avoid wearing it for extended periods. Opting for breathable fabrics and hypoallergenic materials can help reduce the risk of skin irritation.
In conclusion, while shapewear can provide temporary aesthetic benefits, it’s essential to prioritize comfort and health when using it. Remember, true confidence comes from within, and it’s crucial to listen to your body’s needs.
Have you ever looked up at Earth’s Moon and wondered where it came from? Most scientists agree that a small planet called Theia collided with the young Earth 4.5 billion years ago. Most of the debris from this giant impact coalesced to become the Moon we see today. But where did the rest of Theia go? Qian Yuan and his colleagues hypothesize that Earth absorbed parts of Theia during the impact, and that these remnants of Theia remain deep inside Earth to this day.
Scientists believe that waves called mechanical energy waves Seismic wavesAs it passes through certain zones inside the Earth, its speed slows down. Large slow states Previous researchers have suggested that these zones are graveyards of ancient ocean floors that sunk into the Earth’s interior during plate tectonics, but Yuan’s team proposes that these zones could be the remains of Theia.
The research team found that the LLVP contains gases such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. Volatile substancesVolatiles are most likely present during the formation of solar systems and planets, when material floating in space begins to accumulate. Because volatiles are light, they can escape into space if they get the chance. When Earth and Theia collided, volatiles from both planets were caught up in the collision. Scientists believe that most of the volatiles escaped into space, but Yuan and his colleagues suggested that some of Theia may have captured these volatiles and sunk deep inside the Earth, forming the LLVP.
To test whether the LLVP is a remnant of Theia, the researchers used a computer model designed to test how different types of solid matter interact with each other. Thermal evolution modelHe explained that other researchers have shown that Theia is made of a much denser material than Earth, so they wanted to test whether Theia’s denser material would mix completely with Earth’s or remain separate.
The researchers used a thermal evolution model to randomly scatter chunks of Theia-like material throughout a mass of Earth-like material and calculate how well they would mix. They ran eight models with chunks of different sizes, densities, and temperatures. In almost all of these models, they found that Theia’s material sank deep into the Earth and coalesced into LLVP-like mountains without mixing with Earth’s material.
The researchers performed seven giant impact simulations to further explore how Theia interacted with the young Earth. They used these simulations to collide Theia with Earth and calculate how that impact would have affected the Earth’s interior. These simulations found that after the collision with Theia, denser, more solid material sank toward the center, while less dense material stayed toward the surface, resulting in a layered Earth’s interior. The researchers explain that these simulations also suggest that denser material from Theia sunk deep inside the Earth without mixing.
The researchers concluded that Theia’s remains may have sunk to Earth and coalesced into a region similar to the LLVP, where it remained for the next 4.5 billion years. They further proposed that if Theia’s material was preserved inside the Earth for billions of years, the composition of the Earth’s interior could have changed.
They suggested that future researchers test their hypothesis by comparing the composition of the LLVP with basalts found on the Moon to see if it matches up. They also suggested that researchers use newer, more accurate models of Earth’s thermal evolution to further explore how Theia’s impact with Earth may have affected the evolution of Earth’s interior and the formation of the LLVP.
The James Webb Space Telescope captures revealing images of Uranus
The James Webb Space Telescope has taken detailed images of Uranus, revealing its dynamic atmosphere, including rings, moons, and storms. This enhanced view, in contrast to previous images, shows a more active Uranus, with a pronounced seasonal polar cloud cap and some storms. These observations are essential for understanding the planet’s complex atmosphere and may also provide insight into the study of exoplanets.
Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI
New view reveals strange and dynamic ice world
When Voyager 2 passed Uranus In 1986, the planet appeared as a featureless, bright blue sphere. Now, Mr. Webb shows a more dynamic and interesting infrared view. Tree rings, the moon, storms, and the bright polar cap grace these new images. Because Uranus is tilted sideways, its polar caps appear more prominent as Uranus’s poles point towards the Sun and receive more sunlight. This period is called the winter solstice. Uranus will reach her next summer solstice in 2028, and astronomers will observe changes in the planet’s atmosphere. Studying this giant ice cube can help astronomers understand the formation and meteorology of similarly sized planets around other suns.
This image of Uranus taken from the NIRCam (Near Infrared Camera) on NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope shows the planet and its rings in new clarity. The planet’s seasonal polar cap shines bright and white, and Webb’s exquisite sensitivity resolves Uranus’ dim inner and outer rings, including the planet’s closest very faint and diffuse ring, the Zeta ring.
Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI
Webb Space Telescope rings with ringed planet Uranus on holiday
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope recently set its sights on the unusual and mysterious Uranus, an ice giant spinning on its side. Webb used other atmospheric features to capture this dynamic world, including rings, the moon, storms, and seasonal polar caps. This image expands on his two-color version released earlier this year, adding a wavelength range for an even more detailed look.
Uranus’ rings and moon in new light
With exquisite sensitivity, Webb captured Uranus’ dim inner and outer rings, including the elusive Zeta ring, the planet’s closest very faint and diffuse ring. It also photographed many of the planet’s 27 known moons, and several smaller moons were also visible in the ring.
At visible wavelengths observed by Voyager 2 in the 1980s, Uranus appeared as a gentle blue sphere. At infrared wavelengths, Webb reveals a strange and dynamic icy world full of exciting atmospheric features.
This image of Uranus taken with the Webb Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) shows a compass arrow, scale bar, and color key for reference.
Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI
Atmospheric phenomena and seasonal changes
One of the most impressive of these is the planet’s seasonal arctic cloud cap. Compared to images on the web from earlier this year, these new images make it easier to see some of the details on the cap. These include a bright white inner cap and dark lanes at the bottom of the polar cap toward lower latitudes. Several bright storms are also visible near and below the southern boundary of the polar cap. The number of these storms, and how often and where they appear in Uranus’ atmosphere, is likely due to a combination of seasonal and meteorological influences.
Polar caps become more visible as the planet’s poles begin to move toward the sun and receive more sunlight as the planet approaches the summer solstice. Uranus will reach her next summer solstice in 2028, but astronomers are keen to observe possible changes to the structure of these landforms. Webb helps disentangle the seasonal and meteorological influences that affect Uranus’ storms. This is important for helping astronomers understand the planet’s complex atmosphere.
Uranus’s unique tilt and future research
Because Uranus rotates on its side at an angle of about 98 degrees, it experiences some of the most extreme seasons in the solar system. For almost a quarter of Uranus’s year, the sun shines above one pole, and the other half of the Earth plunges into a dark winter that lasts her 21 years. Webb’s unparalleled infrared resolution and sensitivity now allows astronomers to observe Uranus and its unique features with groundbreaking new clarity. These details, especially those of the close Zeta ring, will be invaluable in planning future missions to Uranus.
Uranus: proxy for exoplanet research
Uranus also serves as a proxy for studying the nearly 2,000 similarly sized exoplanets discovered in the past few decades. this “exoplanet ‘In our backyard’ helps astronomers understand how planets of this size work, what their meteorology is like and how they formed Masu. This helps us understand our own solar system as a whole by placing it in a larger context.
The James Webb Space Telescope is the world’s highest space science observatory. Webb unravels the mysteries of our solar system, looks to distant worlds around other stars, and explores the mysterious structure and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by: NASA With our partner ESA (european space agency) and the Canadian Space Agency.
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