Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.

To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.

Subscribe

News

Company:

Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Friday, February 14, 2025

Does Earth Have a Second Moon And What is its Origin Story!

Share

For those interested in the history of our planetary neighbours, a new finding has provided insight into the origins of the Earth’s second moon. Though not strictly a moon, this recently discovered celestial body, a small asteroid named Kamo’oalewa, does unusually orbit Earth. The moon is said to be Kamo’oalewa’s birthplace, and scientists think they have solved the puzzle thanks to computer modelling!

What is Earth’s Second Moon?

Small near-Earth asteroid (NEA) Kamo’oalewa, meaning “oscillating celestial object” in Hawaiian, was found in 2016 by the Pan-STARRS telescope array in Hawaii. It is around the exact height of the Statue of Liberty, measuring only 130 to 330 feet (40 to 100 meters) in diameter. Kamo’oalewa displays an unusual orbital dance with Earth without being a genuine moon. It appears to be orbiting Earth because its route echoes Earth’s in a 1:1 ratio as it revolves around the Sun. A further level of mystery surrounds the dynamics of our solar system, with Kamo’oalewa being classified as a “quasi-satellite”.

Did you know? The Main Asteroid Belt, a vast region of stony debris between Mars and Jupiter, is generally considered the source of NEAs. 

Also! Newly Discovered Solar System Holds Answer to Our Solar System

What is the Colossal Giordano Bruno?

A new study published in Nature Astronomy points to a lunar origin for Kamo’oalewa. Using computer simulations, researchers traced the asteroid’s journey back to a specific spot on the moon: the colossal Giordano Bruno crater. With a width of 14 miles (22 kilometres), this crater is thought to be the youngest enormous crater on the moon’s surface. It was most likely produced between 1 and 10 million years ago by a much more significant asteroid impact.

According to the experts, a sizable amount of lunar material was thrown into space by the massive impact that created the Giordano Bruno crater. A small amount of the expelled material came together to form Kamo’oalewa, which settled in its current orbit around Earth.

This discovery clarifies Kamo’oalewa’s origins and strengthens the connection between Earth and its Moon. It suggests a dynamic past where material exchanged between these celestial bodies could play a role in both evolution.

Unraveling the Mysteries of the Solar System

Kamo’oalewa, Earth’s supposed second moon’s unique story, is a testament to the ongoing exploration of our solar system. As we refine our observational techniques and computer modelling capabilities, we can expect to uncover more hidden relationships and solve the mysteries surrounding the formation and evolution of celestial bodies. This discovery serves as a reminder that even in our seemingly familiar cosmic neighbourhood, fascinating secrets are still waiting to be revealed.

Check! ESA’s Juice Mission to Jupiter Unlocks Unseen Secrets

Read more

Local News