A rare meteorite examined in 2026 revealed evidence of a Moon-sized world that orbited the young Sun more than 4.5 billion years ago, then vanished — possibly shattered in a catastrophic collision whi
Researchers studying the Northwest Africa 12774 meteorite have found mineral evidence suggesting it originated from a Moon-sized planetary embryo that existed in the early solar system. This discovery provides new insights into the composition of vanished planetary bodies.
Why it matters
Understanding the early solar system helps scientists reconstruct the formation of terrestrial planets and the history of planetary collisions.
A small stone from Northwest Africa has become evidence for a much larger absence.
By Space Daily Editorial Team · Editorial process
A small stone from Northwest Africa has become evidence for a much larger absence. In a 2026 paper, researchers argue that the meteorite known as Northwest Africa 12774 may preserve material from a vanished planetary embryo, a body perhaps comparable in size to the Moon and possibly larger, that once orbited the young Sun.
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