The effect of NASAThe DART spacecraft has greater consequences than expected on the asteroid Dimorphos in 2022. New research shows that the shape and orbit of the asteroid has changed permanently.
Scientists from the University of Maryland discovered that Dimorphos, small property which orbits the larger Didymos asteroid, has been severely damaged by the accident. The originally flat shape, described by the scientists of the new study as a hamburger, has now become longer and looks more like a rugby ball.
The unexpected change causes Dimorphos to no longer orbit Didymos steadily. “The moon can now move back and forth or even fall chaotically in space. ” Derek Richardson, the study’s lead researcher, said this in a press release. The study was published in a professional journal The Planetary Science Journal published.
It may affect future missions
The effects of this instability could be felt for years to come. It could take up to a century before Dimorphos finds a stable orbit again, the researchers believe. This complicates future space missions to the asteroid pair. But they also see opportunities. European Space Agency ESA will launch a follow-up mission called Hera in October. This should reveal more details about the internal structure of the two asteroids. Hera arrives at Dimorphos and Didymos in 2026.
Richardson emphasizes the importance of this research to protect the earth. “DART gave us insight into complex complex physics that you can’t do in a lab, and all of this research helps us in our efforts to protect the Earth in the event of a real threat,” he said. “There’s a small chance that an asteroid or comet will come close to the planet and put it at risk. Now we have an extra line of defense against those kinds of outside threats.”
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2024-08-25 17:01:02
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