Astounding Footage Reveals the Impact of NASA’s DART Mission

The Incredible Collision of NASA’s DART Mission

More than a year after the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, stunning visuals have been released that showcase the incredible impact of the mission. The footage was compiled by amateur astronomer Jacint Roger Perez using raw images from the mission.

Unearthly Footage from LICIAcube

Perez used footage from LICIAcube, a tiny cubesat sent by the Italian Space Agency alongside the DART spacecraft. The two cameras on LICIAcube capture the moments leading up to, during, and after the impact of the DART craft on the asteroid Dimorphos. The footage reveals details that were previously unseen.

A Surprisingly Powerful Impact

The impact of the DART spacecraft on the Dimorphos asteroid was much more significant than scientists expected. Over two million pounds of material were ejected from Dimorphos, which was only 525 feet across. Furthermore, a debris tail measuring 6,214 miles trailed behind the asteroid for several months.

A Unexpected Discovery

Scientists observed that the displacement of Dimorphos’ orbit was not solely due to the DART impact, but also because of the massive debris tail left in its wake. The tail seemed to increase the asteroid’s momentum in an unexpected manner.

A Mission of Great Import

The purpose of the DART mission was to test whether the diversion of a killer asteroid heading towards Earth was possible. The success of the mission exceeded expectations, providing incredible imagery of the powerful collision and offering insights into potential asteroid deflection strategies.

Source: Incredible New Videos Show NASA Smashing Into Asteroid