2 months ago
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In the aftermath of Nasa's Double Asteroids Redirect Test (DART) mission,
space debris
totaling over two million pounds has been created, raising the possibility of a long-lasting meteor shower. The unprecedented event follows the DART spacecraft’s deliberate collision with the
asteroid
moonlet Dimorphos in September 2022, aimed at testing Earth’s planetary defense system.
DART mission and impact
Nasa's DART mission succeeded not only in deflecting Dimorphos but also in altering its shape significantly. "The entire shape of the asteroid has changed, from a relatively symmetrical object to a 'triaxial ellipsoid' — something more like an oblong watermelon," said Shantanu Naidu from Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Potential meteor shower
A recent study by Cornell University suggests that fragments from the DART collision could impact Earth and Mars within the next 10 to 30 years, potentially resulting in a faint, man-made meteor shower lasting up to a century. Eloy Peña Asensio, a researcher at Italy's Polytechnic University of Milan, noted that these particles could intermittently reach Mars or Earth, producing visible meteors as they enter the Martian atmosphere. Despite their visibility, these particles are expected to be small, ranging from grain-sized to smartphone-sized, posing no threat to Earth's surface.
Debris impact and visibility
The collision produced over two million pounds of rocky debris, some of which could travel at speeds of 1,118 miles per hour. Although it is unlikely that these fragments will reach Earth, if they do, "the resulting meteor shower would be easily identifiable… as it would not coincide with any known meteor showers," Asensio explained.
The meteors are predicted to move slowly, with peak activity expected in May and visibility primarily from the southern hemisphere near the Indus constellation. This potential meteor shower highlights the unique nature of the debris, which differs from traditional meteor showers due to its man-made origin.
Ongoing research and future implications
The possibility of witnessing a man-made meteor shower underscores the need for ongoing research into space debris and its long-term effects on Earth and other celestial bodies. As space exploration advances, managing space debris will become increasingly important. The DART mission's success in testing planetary defense capabilities also paves the way for future research and exploration strategies to protect Earth from potential asteroid threats.
