In a massive research effort, scientists have been constantly bent on the origin of the mysterious asteroid known as Kamo’oalewa, discovered in 2016, so astronomers have caused a veritable wave of discussion and speculation in the scientific community.
At first, the hypothesis that this celestial body came from the surface of the Moon seemed to gain ground. However, a recent analysis led by renowned astronomer Yifei Jiao of Tsinghua University in China has shed new light on this cosmic enigma, according to Science Alert.
Where does the asteroid actually come from?
According to the latest research, the Giordano Bruno crater on the far side of the Moon has been identified as the most likely point of origin for asteroid Kamo’oalewa. This surprising discovery has piqued the interest of the entire astronomical community and raises new questions about the history and evolution of our solar system.
As for Earth’s natural satellites, it should be known that they are relatively few, with the Moon dominating the cosmic landscape. However, mini-satellites such as Kamo’oalewa tend to be often neglected in discussions of outer space because of the challenges of observations and monitoring.
For centuries, researchers have tried to unravel the mystery of the origin of asteroid Kamo’oalewa, a celestial body that has been orbiting Earth for centuries without being easily detected. In 2023, a team of researchers came up with an interesting explanation for this phenomenon. Careful analysis of the asteroid’s light reflection and color revealed notable similarities to the lunar surface, thus distinguishing it from other nearby celestial bodies.
Based on orbital studies and its physical characteristics, scientists have concluded that Kamo’oalewa was once an integral part of the Moon. However, given that most near-Earth asteroids remain in close orbit for a limited time frame—generally less than 100 million years—Kamo’oalewa must be considerably younger than this threshold.
Research into the origin of asteroid Kamo’oalewa has led to interesting conclusions, suggesting an age of between 10 and 100 million years. Scientists noted the absence of debris to match its size, indicating its relative youth compared to other formations. Among the few lunar craters that fit this age, the 22-kilometer-long Giordano Bruno Crater stood out as the best candidate, with an estimated age of less than 10 million years.
The study, published in the journal Nature, emphasizes the importance of younger and larger craters as potential sources of asteroids, showing that these recent formations may have been the original sources for celestial bodies like Kamo’oalewa. Further research in this field is vital for a better understanding of cosmic phenomena and the evolution of the solar system.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow DCNews on Google News too
