China’s Tianwen‑2 Sends First Image of Quasi‑Moon Kamo’oalewa

China’s Tianwen‑2 spacecraft has transmitted the first close‑up image of its target, the near‑Earth asteroid 2016 HO3, also known as the quasi‑moon Kamo’oalewa. The probe, launched by the China National Space Administration in 2021, has been traveling through the Solar System for several years before reaching the small body in 2024.

The photo shows the asteroid’s irregular, rocky surface and confirms its size, which is estimated at roughly 10 metres across. 2016 HO3, discovered in 2016, is a temporary Earth‑co‑orbiting object that has remained in a quasi‑satellite state for more than a decade. Tianwen‑2’s observations will provide the most detailed data to date on the composition, structure and dynamical behavior of this unique near‑Earth object.

The successful transmission of the image marks a milestone for the mission and for planetary science, offering a new perspective on a small body that has intrigued astronomers for years. The data will help refine models of asteroid dynamics and inform future exploration of similar near‑Earth objects.