The twin tails of the asteroid

Recently, NASA conducted a revealing mission. It succeeded in impacting the rotating Dimorphos satellite around the asteroid Didymos. The objective was to assess possible future deflections from Earth-threatening objects. There was an unanticipated result. Two dust tails emanating from the cluster of bodies were recorded. Thanks to that, we have the twin tails of the asteroid, in a cosmic choreography.

The twin tails of the asteroid are an unexpected result of NASA's tests.
Asteroid’s twin tails are an unexpected result of NASA tests.

Comet tail

How did they manage to record it? The Hubble telescope of the U.S. Government’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) did it. It recorded the phenomenon of two tails emerging from the asteroid system. This occurred after its satellite was impacted. This was done as part of the Double Asteroid Redirect Test (DART). The impact occurred on September 26.

As a result of the collision, a 32-minute cutback in the rotational motion of Dimorphos around Didymos was generated. This used to be generally 11 hours and 55 minutes, NASA explained. The object has been under observation since the impact. That is why the unexpected stellar phenomenon was now recorded. The emission from the asteroid’s twin tails. They are made of dusty material from the asteroidal system. Scientists indicate that this is an unexpected development in the research.

The second, comet-like tail formed between October 2 and October 8. This was determined according to Hubble observation. This information was distributed in 18 sessions. There is something that is still not clear, NASA admitted. What is the relationship between this and other emissions from the asteroid cluster recorded in the observations.

NASA's defense mission was successful.
NASA’s defense mission was successful.

Possible scenarios

“In the months to come, scientists will make closer observations. They will use Hubble data. They hope to determine how this second tail developed. There are a number of possible scenarios that the team will probe.” This is what the U.S. space agency added.

Click to rate this entry!
(Votes: 0 Average: 0)
Share!

Leave a Comment