Hera captures first distinct image of Didymos and Dimorphos
ESA's Hera has captured the first image showing Didymos and Dimorphos as separate objects and its first close-up image of the Didymos binary asteroid system. The spacecraft has now begun close inspections from 25 to 30 kilometers away.
IllustrationThe story so far
On October 18, ESA's Hera took a black and white image from about 1,280 kilometers away in which Didymos and Dimorphos appeared as separate objects. The spacecraft had slowed to 20 meters per second relative to the pair. A later close-up showed Didymos in detail, with only a sliver of Dimorphos visible. The observations revealed boulders, craters and grooves that may come from impact-ejected material.
The European Space Agency said Hera has begun close inspections of Didymos and Dimorphos from 25 to 30 kilometers away. The mission will move to 20 kilometers next month and carry two Cubesats to survey Dimorphos and attempt a landing on the 151-meter moonlet. NASA's DART struck Dimorphos in September 2022 and reduced its orbital period by about 33 minutes.
Latest updates
3 updates · newest first- 12 NovNew development
Europe's Hera begins close inspection of asteroid hit by NASA's Dart
The European Space Agency said Hera has begun close inspections of Didymos and its moonlet Dimorphos from 25 to 30 kilometers away, after NASA's Dart struck Dimorphos in 2022. The mission will move to 20 kilometers next month and carry two Cubesats to survey Dimorphos and attempt a landing on the 151-meter moonlet. The test showed a spacecraft impact can alter an asteroid's orbit, offering a possible defense method for Earth.
Phys.org ↗
- 6 NovNew development
Hera gets first close-up view of Didymos after DART impact
ESA's Hera spacecraft has released its first close-up image of the Didymos binary asteroid system, where NASA's DART mission struck the moonlet Dimorphos in September 2022. The photo shows Didymos in detail, with only a sliver of Dimorphos visible. DART reduced Dimorphos's orbital period by about 33 minutes, and Hera's observations are already revealing boulders, craters and grooves that may come from impact-ejected material.
Space.com ↗
ESA ↗
- 3 NovNew development
Hera separates Didymos and Dimorphos in first distinct image
ESA's Hera spacecraft has captured the first image in which Didymos and Dimorphos appear as separate objects. The black and white picture was taken on October 18 from about 1,280 kilometers away, after maneuvers slowed Hera to 20 meters per second relative to the pair. The result sets up detailed views of Dimorphos, the first object in the Solar System whose orbit was measurably shifted by human action.
ScienceDaily ↗