On September 26, 2022, NASA made history by intentionally crashing a spacecraft into the asteroid moonlet Dimorphos. This mission, known as the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), was a groundbreaking attempt to deflect an asteroid and now, it appears to have resulted in an extraordinary phenomenon: the first human-made meteor shower, dubbed the Dimorphids.
The DART mission successfully altered Dimorphos’ orbit by a remarkable 33 minutes, but its impact also ejected a significant amount of rocky debris. A new study, published in the Planetary Science Journal, suggests that this debris could create a meteor shower unlike any other. Scientists estimate that the collision generated over 2 million pounds (nearly 1 million kilograms) of rocks and dust, enough to fill several rail cars.
According to the study, fragments of Dimorphos are projected to reach the vicinity of Earth and Mars within one to three decades. Some debris could even reach Mars within seven years, while smaller pieces might enter Earth’s atmosphere within the next 10 years. The study’s authors found that ejecta orbits are compatible with the delivery of meteor-producing particles to both planets.
Eloy Peña Asensio, a researcher at Italy’s Polytechnic University of Milan, explained that once the first particles reach Earth or Mars, they could continue to arrive intermittently and periodically for at least the next 100 years.
The DART mission was a monumental achievement for planetary defense. It marked the first-ever mission dedicated to demonstrating a method of deflecting asteroids. The mission’s success confirmed that NASA can successfully navigate a spacecraft to intentionally collide with an asteroid, effectively altering its trajectory. This technology could prove invaluable in protecting Earth from future asteroid threats.
The DART mission targeted the binary asteroid system composed of Didymos and its small moonlet, Dimorphos. Dimorphos was chosen for its size, which is comparable to asteroids that could pose a threat to our planet. The mission’s success was not just about deflecting an asteroid; it also provided valuable insights into the composition and structure of these celestial bodies.
In addition to its orbital change, the DART impact also significantly altered the shape of Dimorphos. A study published in 2024 revealed that the asteroid’s once symmetrical shape had transformed into a triaxial ellipsoid, resembling an oblong watermelon.
The DART mission was a resounding success, proving the feasibility of kinetic impactor technology for asteroid deflection. It represents a major step forward in our ability to protect Earth from potential space threats. As the ejected debris from Dimorphos continues its journey through space, the world will be watching for the first signs of this unprecedented, human-made meteor shower.
