Two surveys reveal results of NASA mission that deflected asteroid

One of the most fascinating facts in the history of space missions – the asteroid Dimorphos’ orbit was changed by a NASA probe – FHigh working object of two teams of astronomers analyzing images captured by the Very Large Telescope (VLT). A facility with four giant optical telescopes controlled by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Chile.

The impact of the DART probe, which stands for the Double Asteroid Redirection Test, which took place on September 26, was analyzed by the team of astronomer Cyrielle Opitom from the University of Edinburgh (Scotland). published in the magazine Astronomy and AstrophysicsThe research detailed the “morphology, spectral properties and evolution of the ejected material,” namely the debris cloud.

Using the MUSE spectroscopy instrument, The researchers found that the first eruption was bluer than before the impact, indicative of very small particles.. However, the search for signatures, mainly traces of oxygen and possible water from exposed ice, revealed nothing.

Findings of the second research team

published in the magazine Astrophysical Journal LettersThe second research worked with FORS2, a low-dispersion spectrograph that works as a “focus reducer” that reduces the size of the image of the celestial object to increase its spatial resolution. The aim was to study how the impact of DART changed the surface of the asteroid Dimorphos..

The other team, led by astronomer Stefano Bagnulo of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium in Northern Ireland, there was a sudden drop in polarization level shortly after impact, that is, the direction of the asteroid’s magnetic field relative to the Didymos pair.

In addition to demonstrating the potential of the VLT when various instruments work together, the two studies showed “extremely valuable data on a better understanding of the nature of asteroids” due to the unique situation of the NASA mission they focused on. “, he finished. Opitome.