The tiny moon that orbits an asteroid nicknamed "Dinky" is, in fact, two tiny moons fused together, baffling scientists who had never witnessed this type of satellite orbiting an asteroid.
New NASA research suggests that the mid-size asteroid likely birthed one or both mini-moons, together called "Selam," offering insight into the mysterious world of smaller cosmic bodies.
University of Maryland astronomy professor Jessica Sunshine highlighted the unexpected complexity of small cosmic bodies, referring to the strange Dinky discovery as cosmic twins.
The discovery of a unique contact binary within a contact binary represented by Dinky's moons sheds light on the rare cosmic phenomenon, showcasing the surprising intricacies of celestial objects.
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