Scientists have determined that Earth’s "second moon," an asteroid named Kamo'oalewa, may have originated from the moon itself. Through computer modeling, researchers traced its origins to the Giordano Bruno crater on the moon's far side. Near-Earth asteroids (NEAs), such as Kamo’oalewa, are generally thought to come from the Main Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter, making this discovery unique.

Kamo’oalewa, also known as 2016 HO3, is a small asteroid, roughly 130 to 330 feet (40 to 100 meters) in diameter, comparable in size to the Statue of Liberty. Discovered in 2016 by the Pan-STARRS telescope system in Hawaii, Kamo’oalewa is one of about 250,000 known NEAs. Although it seems to orbit Earth, it is actually in a synchronized orbit around the sun, making it a quasi-satellite of our planet.

The Giordano Bruno crater, where the asteroid is believed to have originated, is 14 miles (22 kilometers) wide and is thought to be the youngest large crater on the moon, caused by an asteroid impact between 1 and 10 million years ago. Researchers used advanced simulations and supercomputers to model the kind of impact that could have created and ejected a fragment the size of Kamo’oalewa.

This theory isn’t entirely new. In 2021, astronomers from the University of Arizona suggested Kamo’oalewa could be a lunar fragment based on its spectral similarities to the moon’s surface material. Last year, additional research supported this theory, noting that while rare, fragments of the moon could enter orbits like Kamo’oalewa’s after being ejected by past impacts.

China's Tianwen-2 mission is set to visit Kamo’oalewa next year, aiming to be the first mission to study an asteroid of its size. This could provide more insights into the composition of Earth’s "second moon." Kamo’oalewa is expected to remain in Earth’s vicinity for millions of years.

The Giordano Bruno crater is located on the far side of the moon, often misrepresented as the "dark side." While the far side is not always dark, it remains hidden from Earth due to the moon’s tidal lock. Despite this misconception, half of the moon is always illuminated by the sun, depending on its phase.

Scientists anticipate that future missions will bring even more clarity about the origins and nature of this fascinating celestial body.