Scientists have for the first time identified the exact origin of an asteroid by studying a crater on the back of the moon.
According to research, the asteroid known as 2016 HO3, or Kamoanalev, was expelled from the Jordano Bruno crater on the moon and has been in space for millions of years. This asteroid orbits the sun similarly to the Earth and was the target of China’s Tianven-2 mission.
Scientists found that the release of a large asteroid fragment into space would require a impact of at least a kilometer in diameter to create a 10-20 kilometer crater on the moon. The age and size of the Jordano Bruno crater make it unique and suitable for this event.
This discovery enhances previous studies suggesting that Asteroid Kamoanalev likely originated from the moon. Researchers believe this offers valuable insights into the effects of asteroid impacts and the potential for transferring life through cosmic objects, supporting the theory of Panzpermia.
The planned mission of Tianven-2 aims to collect samples from Kamoanalev, which could confirm the asteroid’s lunar origin and provide further understanding of lunar impacts and space weather effects.
China, while a late entrant in Mars exploration, is rapidly catching up. The successful Tianveen-1 mission in 2021 marked a significant milestone for the country’s Martian program, including the deployment of an orbiter and rover on the Red Planet.
Looking ahead, China has announced plans for the Tianveen-3 spacecraft in 2030 to facilitate the return of samples from Mars, further advancing their exploration of the Red Planet.