DART Team Confirms Orbit of Targeted Asteroid Using some of the world’s most powerful telescopes, the DART investigation team completed a six-night observation campaign last month to confirm earlier calculations of the orbit of Dimorphos—DART’s asteroid target. Dimorphos is in orbit around its larg
Using some of the world’s most powerful telescopes, the DART investigation team completed a six-night observation campaign last month to confirm earlier calculations of the orbit of Dimorphos—DART’s asteroid target. Dimorphos is in orbit around its larger parent asteroid, Didymos. These observations confirm where the asteroid is expected to be located at the time of impact.
Understanding the dynamics of Dimorphos’ orbit, however, is important for reasons beyond ensuring DART’s impact. If DART succeeds in altering Dimorphos’ path, the moonlet will move closer toward Didymos, decreasing the time it takes to orbit it. Although measuring that change is straightforward, scientists need to confirm that nothing other than the impact is affecting the orbit.
In late September to early October, around the time of DART’s impact, Didymos and Dimorphos will make their closest approach to Earth in recent years. This will place them at approximately 6.7 million miles away. Since March 2021 the Didymos system had been out of range of most ground-based telescopes because of its distance from Earth.
Argentina Últimas Noticias, Argentina Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Mountain lion dies in surgery after being shot by police in CaliforniaA young mountain lion shot by police died in surgery at a California zoo on Friday, a zoo spokesperson said, after the animal was startled by a tranquilizer dart and jumped at an officer in a suburban neighborhood.
Leer más »
NASA found a 'mini-moon' orbiting an asteroid in the outer solar systemNASA has discovered a mini-moon orbiting an asteroid found on the outer edge of our solar system using its Lucy spacecraft.
Leer más »
Red Alert! NASA Is About to Test Deflecting a Killer AsteroidNASA's first test of a planetary defense system — developed to deflect Earth-threatening asteroids or comets — is slated for launch in late September.
Leer más »
Ukraine live briefing: Zaporizhzhia residents line up for iodine, fearing nuclear leak; third American killedRussia’s military expansion will have little impact on war, Britain’s defense ministry said.
Leer más »
MakerDAO co-founder recommends DAI-USD depegging to limit attack surfaceWhy Maker has NO CHOICE but to prepare to free float $DAI, according to MakerDAO co-founder Rune Christensen.
Leer más »
San Jose State football preview: Four things to know as Spartans try to get back to top of Mountain WestHawaii transfer quarterback and two Nevada transfers at wide receiver making an early impact on offense.
Leer más »