Researchers found the rock had a glossy coat called a “fusion crust” typically formed as the surface of space rocks entering the Earth’s atmosphere at high speeds begin to melt.

The asteroid, spanning around 49 to 111 feet in diameter, is hurtling through space at some 42,300 miles per hour.

A chunk of space rock that visited near Earth's orbit last year was widely referred to as a "mini-moon." Turns out the lunar-inspired moniker may have been more accurate than we realized.

He also explained that creating an environment that replicates one in which asteroids move freely through space without anchoring the asteroid-like rock used for the experiment was a challenge.

but a true space enthusiast and an advocate for space exploration.” Eventually, Lauretta brought May on to the mission, where the rock star played a key role: helping the spacecraft touch down ...