On June 10, 2026, the Oukaïmeden Observatory, operated by Cadi Ayyad University in Morocco, announced the discovery of three near-Earth objects (NEOs). The discoveries were made as part of the observatory's ongoing survey program, which uses a 0.5-meter telescope to scan the night sky for asteroids and comets that could pose a threat to Earth.
The three objects were detected over several nights of observation and have been confirmed by the Minor Planet Center. Preliminary orbital calculations indicate they are small asteroids, each less than 100 meters in diameter, and none are on a collision course with Earth. The discoveries highlight the observatory's growing role in global planetary defense networks.
This achievement builds on Oukaïmeden's previous successes, including the discovery of several other NEOs in recent years. The observatory is part of a collaborative effort with international partners to monitor and catalog potentially hazardous objects. The team plans to continue observations to refine the orbits of the newly found asteroids.
