NASA's Impact on an Asteroid: Reshaping Space Rocks
NASA's DART spacecraft successfully altered the orbit of the asteroid Dimorphos by intentionally crashing into it, causing "global deformation" and reshaping the entire asteroid. The impact changed Dimorphos' orbital period by about 32 to 33 minutes, providing valuable insights for potential asteroid deflection techniques. Researchers used impact simulations to determine that Dimorphos is a rubble pile held together by weak gravity, and the impact transformed its shape, kicking out 1% of its mass into space and shifting 8% of its mass. The findings will prepare astronomers for future missions to better understand the effects of asteroid deflection technology.
- Asteroid is a ‘very different body’ after being hit by NASA spacecraft, scientists say CNN
- A Nasa mission that collided with an asteroid didn't just leave a dent – it reshaped the space rock The Conversation
- NASA's Crash Into an Asteroid May Have Altered Its Shape The New York Times
- Asteroid Struck by a Spacecraft Might Be 'Healing' as Its Surface Reforms ScienceAlert
- NASA Hit An Asteroid So Hard It Completely Changed Its Shape IFLScience
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