Kamoʻoalewa: Earth’s quasi-satellite may be an ordinary space rock
A peer‑reviewed study argues Kamoʻoalewa is likely an ordinary LL chondrite asteroid weathered in sunlight, not lunar debris; the researchers show that powder from LL chondrites can mimic the Moon’s reddened spectrum, pointing to a Flora‑family origin via orbital resonances. The debate may be settled when China’s Tianwen‑2, currently circling the asteroid to collect a sample, returns material to Earth in 2027 for definitive isotopic and mineral tests.