Oukaïmeden Observatory Advances Planetary Defense with Three New Discoveries
Oukaimeden, Morocco – June 2026
The Oukaimeden Observatory (OUCA), through the international MOSS program (Morocco Oukaimeden Sky Survey), continues to make significant contributions to planetary defense and the monitoring of small bodies in the Solar System, with the discovery of three new Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) during the first half of 2026.
First Discovery: 2026 LS
On June 1, 2026, the MOSS program identified a new near-Earth object, provisionally designated 2026 LS. Follow-up observations conducted the following night by the IAU 185 station at the Oukaimeden Observatory confirmed its orbital parameters with high precision.
The object was officially announced by the Minor Planet Center in the electronic publication MPEC 2026-L33 and classified as an Amor-type asteroid—a category of objects whose orbits approach that of Earth without crossing it.
Two Additional Discoveries in May 2026
A few weeks earlier, in May 2026, the MOSS program had already achieved a notable double discovery:
• 2026 GU2, an Apollo-type asteroid whose orbit crosses that of Earth;
• 2026 GW3, an Amor-type asteroid.
These findings highlight the effectiveness of the automated detection systems developed at the Oukaimeden Observatory, as well as the scientific expertise of the teams involved in the tracking and characterization of near-Earth objects.
A Recognized Moroccan Contribution on the International Stage
Since its inception, the MOSS program has become one of Africa’s most productive projects in the field of astrometry and the detection of small bodies in the Solar System. Thanks to its advanced robotic instruments installed at the Oukaimeden site, located at an altitude of over 2,700 meters in the High Atlas mountains, the program has contributed to the discovery of thousands of asteroids and the production of millions of astrometric measurements submitted to the Minor Planet Center of the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
These successive discoveries further reinforce the position of the Oukaimeden Observatory as a key player within international networks dedicated to near-Earth object monitoring and planetary defense.
About MOSS
The MOSS program (Morocco Oukaimeden Sky Survey) is an international scientific collaboration based at the Oukaimeden Observatory. It is dedicated to the detection, tracking, and characterization of asteroids, comets, and near-Earth objects. The data generated by MOSS directly supports global efforts to protect Earth from potential risks posed by these objects.
“These new discoveries reflect the high level of scientific excellence achieved at the Oukaimeden Observatory and demonstrate that Morocco is now a recognized international actor in the strategic field of near-Earth object monitoring. They are the result of coordinated teamwork involving researchers, engineers, and international partners committed to safeguarding our planet.”
Press Contact
Oukaimeden Observatory (OUCA)
Cadi Ayyad University – Marrakech
Email: A.BENHIDA@UCA.AC.MA
Website: https://ouca.ma
