China's highly anticipated Tianwen-2 mission is on track for launch this year, aiming to delve into the mysteries of two fascinating celestial targets: the near-Earth asteroid 2016HO3 and the main-belt comet 311P. This ambitious mission seeks to collect valuable samples from asteroid 2016HO3, the first quasi-satellite ever discovered orbiting the Sun with parameters almost identical to Earth's. Despite not being a natural moon, this 40-100 meter-wide asteroid continuously wanders near our planet, offering unique insights into the dynamics of near-Earth objects.
In addition to asteroid 2016HO3, Tianwen-2 will explore main-belt comet 311P, often referred to as a \"rebel\" within the main asteroid belt. An astronomer from the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) emphasized the significance of these targets, highlighting their potential to reveal cosmic secrets about the formation and evolution of our solar system. By analyzing these diverse celestial bodies, Tianwen-2 aims to enhance our understanding of both near-Earth objects and the broader asteroid belt.
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Chinese astronomer details dual targets of Tianwen-2 mission
cgtn.com
