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From the Archives: Scientists Have Finally Found the Origins of a Mysterious Asteroid

Jun 14, 2024
Astronomers discuss a 50-meter asteroid near Earth that may have originated from the moon, offering insights into its unique features and past. University of Arizona astronomers trace the asteroid's origins back to the moon, emphasizing the importance of considering Moon-origin orbits in asteroid research.
07:04

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Quick takeaways

  • Asteroid Kamo 'o 'aleva originated from the moon, posing a unique threat to Earth's safety.
  • Researchers must focus on lunar-provenance asteroids for better planetary defense against impact threats.

Deep dives

Discovering the Origins of a Mysterious Asteroid

Astronomers have located an unusual asteroid near Earth with a Hawaiian name, Kamo 'o 'aleva. This space rock, unlike typical asteroids, was found to have originated from the moon based on its unique properties. Researchers, led by Renu Malhotra, conducted studies that indicated Kamo 'o 'aleva was likely blasted off the moon by an impacting asteroid millions of years ago. Through numerical simulations, they confirmed that this 50-meter celestial object's orbit aligns with the moon-origin theory, shedding light on its rare but plausible path.

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