Sep 05, 2022

Science Café examines DART — 'How do we move an asteroid?'

Posted Sep 05, 2022 10:14 AM

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At 7:14 a.m. Sept. 26, the DART satellite will slam into the asteroid Dimorphos, which orbits a larger asteroid named Didymos, at the speed of 15,000 mph. 

Picture a vending machine hitting the pyramid of Giza.

The goal is to slightly change the orbital time of Dimorphos as the first test of planetary defense from asteroid collisions. While neither asteroid is any threat to Earth, it is a proof-of-concept mission. 

Dr. Paul Adams, NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador at Fort Hays State University, will discuss the mission at an upcoming Science Cafe. The presentation is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, at The Venue @ Thirsty's, 2704 Vine.

Science Cafe is open to the public and sponsored by the Science and Mathematics Education Institute.