Overview

• Researchers estimate Earth hosts about 6.5 minimoons larger than one meter in diameter at any given time.
• Spectroscopic analyses of 2024 PT5 and asteroid Kamoʻoalewa reveal surface compositions consistent with lunar basalt.
• Dynamical simulations show roughly 20 percent of lunar impact ejecta can become temporarily bound objects meeting the definition of minimoons.
• The new model overturns the long-held assumption that these small satellites originate in the asteroid belt.
• Scientists emphasize that additional observations and targeted surveys are needed to fully validate the lunar ejecta origin hypothesis.