China captures first close-up of Earth's asymmetrical quasi-moon
In short: Kamo'oalewa is not a true moon, but it behaves like one. This small, lopsided rock orbits the sun in a way that keeps it perpetually near our planet. Now, for the first time, we have a high-resolution look at this celestial neighbor as China prepares to touch its surface.
Kamo'oalewa, formally designated as asteroid 2016HO3, is classified as a quasi-satellite. Unlike true moons that orbit a planet, these bodies circle the sun on trajectories that keep them in close proximity to Earth. While our planet has at least seven known quasi-satellites, their orbits are generally less stable than those of permanent moons; Earth's gravity occasionally captures passing objects temporarily before flinging them back into independent solar orbits.
The mystery of Kamo'oalewa’s origin is a primary focus for researchers. Although numerous asteroids near Earth are thought to stem from the belt situated between Mars and Jupiter, data indicates this object might be located much nearer. Research appearing in Nature Astronomy during 2024 suggests Kamo'oalewa was expelled from our moon by a huge collision—the event creating Giordano Bruno crater—during a period of 1 million to 10 million years ago.
China’s Tianwen-2 mission is currently tasked with investigating this hypothesis. Launched on May 28, 2025, the probe traveled 620 million miles to reach a distance of approximately 12 miles from the asteroid. On July 2, 2026, it captured the first image of the target, revealing an asymmetrical rock measuring between 50 and 65 feet in diameter. The spacecraft will spend nearly a year using 11 scientific instruments to study the site before attempting to return a sample to Earth.
The mission represents a significant milestone for China's space agency, marking its first-ever asteroid sampling attempt. By analyzing the physical composition of Kamo'oalewa, scientists hope to confirm whether it is indeed a piece of our moon's crust cast into space by ancient celestial violence.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: China Released First Ever Picture of Earth's Quasi-Moon Kamo'oalewa
- Also: China releases 1st photo of Earth
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/space-china-released-first-ever-picture-of-earth-s-quasi-moon-kamo.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Astronomy · More in Space · Latest · A–Z · All topics
