Kamo’oalewa, an asteroid orbiting Earth, is believed to be a piece of the Moon that was ejected during an asteroid impact. Researchers suggest that Kamo’oalewa’s orbit, size, spin, and age match the Moon’s, and its surface reflects light similar to weathered lunar rocks. This discovery adds intrigue to the Tianwen-2 mission, which aims to return samples from Kamo’oalewa in 2025.
Scientists believe that the asteroid Kamo’oalewa, discovered in 2016, originated from a giant crater on the moon. The asteroid’s similar composition and orbit to the moon have led researchers to conclude that it may have broken off from the lunar surface millions of years ago. This discovery provides evidence of asteroids’ origins and suggests the existence of more similar celestial bodies in near-Earth space.
