Recently, researchers identified the origin of what has been called Earth’s “second moon,” an asteroid known as Kamo’oalewa, reported Forbes. This celestial body, approximately the size of the Statue of Liberty, captured the attention of the scientific community and the general public due to its unusual relationship with our planet and its mysterious origin.
Kamo’oalewa appears to have originated from the moon itself, specifically the crater Giordano Bruno, located on the far side of the moon. This theory has been strengthened thanks to computer models that have revealed how an asteroid impact against our world’s natural satellite could have ejected fragments that eventually formed the celestial body.
With a diameter of between 40 and 100 meters, Kamo’oalewa was discovered in 2016 and has since fascinated astronomers for its peculiar behavior in space, orbiting the sun in synchronous resonance with the Earth.
Unlike traditional natural satellites, Kamo’oalewa is classified as a quasi-satellite of the Earth because, despite orbiting the sun, it does so in sync with our planet, giving the impression of being a constant companion on our journey around the sun.
This unique behavior makes it a fascinating object of study for scientists, who seek to better understand the mechanisms behind the formation and evolution of such celestial bodies.
Interest in Kamo’oalewa does not stop at its lunar origin. China plans to launch the Tianwen-2 mission next year, which will be the first mission to study an asteroid of this size. This effort will not only expand our knowledge of Kamo’oalewa, but also of asteroids of similar size, which are common in our solar system but poorly understood.
Giordano Bruno Crater, home to Kamo’oalewa’s origin, is located on the far side of the moon, often mistakenly referred to as the “dark side.” However, this name is not technically correct, since the moon is tidally locked to the Earth, always exposing the same face towards us. The far side receives regular sunlight, being part of the natural dynamics of lunar lighting.
Kamo’oalewa symbolizes an exciting crossroads in our space exploration and understanding of the cosmos. Studying it promises to reveal more secrets not only about our own lunar system, but also about the dynamics and relationships between different bodies celestial bodies in our solar system.
