Scientists have discovered a rare semi-satellite. This semi-satellite revolves around the Sun. This asteroid is known as 2016 HO3. Scientists said that this asteroid originated from the Moon, which has already given birth to hundreds of asteroids.
2016 HO3
An unusual asteroid travelling near Earth is thought to be a piece of the moon. But, how exactly it passed through the solar system remains a mystery. Now, researchers say they have unraveled a key connection in this cosmic puzzle. This asteroid is known as 2016 HO3. It is a rare quasi-satellite that orbits the Sun but remains close to our planet.Astronomers first discovered it in 2016 using the Pan-STARRS telescope, or Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System, in Hawaii. Scientists call the asteroid Kamo'olewa, a name derived from a Hawaiian creation chant.
This asteroid was born from the Moon
While most near-Earth asteroids originate from the main asteroid belt, according to a study published April 19 in the journal Nature Astronomy. This asteroid belt is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. New research suggests that Kamo'olewa likely came from the Giordano Bruno crater on the far side of the moon, or the side that faces away from Earth."This is the first time astronomers have observed a potentially dangerous near-Earth asteroid near a lunar crater," said lead author of the study, Yifei Xiao, a visiting professor at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona and a doctoral student at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Have found out.
Thousands of asteroids are born from the Moon
"This was a surprise, and many people suspected it could come from the Moon," study co-author Eric Asfaug, a professor at the University of Arizona Laboratory, said in a statement. "For 50 years we have been seeing astronauts on the surface of the Moon. are studying rocks collected by,Also studying hundreds of small lunar meteorites that were randomly ejected from around the Moon by asteroid impacts that ended up on Earth. Kamo'olewa is a kind of missing link that connects the two.
How big is Kamo'olewa asteroid?
In addition to helping confirm Kamo'olewa's possible connection with the moon, the findings could ultimately lead to other revelations – including how the ingredients for life made their way to Earth. Measuring between 150 and 190 feet (46 and 58 m) in diameter, Kamo'olewa is about half the size of the London Eye Ferris wheel.During its orbit, it comes within 9 million miles (14.5 million kilometres) of Earth, making it a potentially hazardous asteroid. That's why astronomers keep an eye on it and gather more information about it.