A mysterious three-lobed asteroid appears to have its own moon, scientists have revealed. The asteroid known as 44 Nysa was discovered nearly 170 years ago, back in 1857. Classified as an E-type asteroid, 44 Nysa belongs to a comparatively uncommon category of space rocks characterised by high concentrations of the mineral enstatite. The asteroid known as 44 Nysa was discovered nearly 170 years ago, back in 1857| KATE MINKERIt is also the most luminous E-type asteroid currently known to astronomers. Adding further intrigue, the observations suggest 44 Nysa possesses a diminutive moon measuring approximately one kilometre across.