NASA is about to channel the spirit of the 1998 movie Armageddon on Monday. The area company plans to crash a spacecraft into the asteroid Dimorphos within the first take a look at of a planetary protection system. Dubbed “Double Asteroid Redirection Check” (DART), this system goals to vary the celestial physique’s orbit.
The hope of the take a look at is to show that asteroids, comets, or different space-born hazards could be deflected away from Earth, probably saving us all from extinction. This primary try and knock an asteroid off target has been cruising towards its vacation spot since November 2021.
You may watch the influence (sans Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck) reside on Monday September twenty sixth on YouTube. The reside stream begins at 1:30 p.m. EDT. NASA says the influence itself will happen at 7:14 p.m. EDT. The company will livestream a press briefing concerning the mission at 8 p.m. EDT.
The goal asteroid, Dimorphos, is a moon of one other asteroid, Didymos. NASA goals to hit Dimorphos in the other way of Didymos to see if the influence reduces the radius of Dimorphos’ orbit. The total penalties of hitting Dimorphos with DART stay unknown till the influence happens.
If, after watching the collision, you need to be a part of the battle to guard Earth from asteroids and comets, NASA has a enjoyable manner so that you can do this.
Supply: Digital Tendencies
