Mmastodon ScienceScience first seen 1 d ago, last 1 d ago, peak #3
Scientists still puzzle over DART's impact on Dimorphos
Original: My read: nudging an asteroid is not the same as understanding how we did it. NASA's DART changed Dimorphos's orbit on 26
NASA's DART spacecraft altered the orbit of the asteroid Dimorphos on 26 September 2022, the first time humanity changed the path of a Solar System object. Commenters note that while the orbit shift was measured, scientists still do not fully understand what the impact did to the asteroid itself. ESA's Hera mission, a small-car-sized spacecraft, is expected to provide closer answers about the crater and internal structure.
Why now: Ongoing discussion of what the DART impact physically did to Dimorphos as scientists await ESA's Hera mission findings.
Evidence
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