NASA's DART Spacecraft Causes Global Deformation to Asteroid Dimorphos: Study Findings

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Dimorphos is a moonlet asteroid that orbits a larger parent asteroid known as Didymos. It is made up of loosely held material and has a low density, making it more susceptible to deformation upon impact.
NASA's DART spacecraft successfully altered the orbit of asteroid Dimorphos by shrinking it by 33 minutes, surpassing the minimum threshold of 73 seconds.
The impact may have caused significant changes to the shape and surface of Dimorphos.
NASA's DART Spacecraft Causes Global Deformation to Asteroid Dimorphos: Study Findings

A new study has revealed that the impact of NASA's DART spacecraft on the asteroid Dimorphos may have caused global deformation to the space rock. The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, which intentionally slammed into Dimorphos in September 2022, aimed to test planetary defense technology and see whether a kinetic impact would be enough to alter an asteroid's trajectory.

The DART spacecraft successfully altered the orbit of asteroid Dimorphos by shrinking it by 33 minutes, surpassing the minimum threshold of 73 seconds. However, new research suggests that the impact may have caused significant changes to the shape of the asteroid.

Dimorphos is a moonlet asteroid that orbits a larger parent asteroid known as Didymos. It is made up of loosely held material and has a low density, making it more susceptible to deformation upon impact. The DART mission was designed to test the effectiveness of kinetic impacts as a method for deflecting asteroids that pose a threat to Earth.

The study, published in Nature Astronomy, used simulations consistent with the observed results of the DART project and estimated Dimorphos' cohesive strength to be less than a few pascals. This is similar to other rubble-pile asteroids such as Ryugu and Bennu.

Dimorphos is slightly denser than Ryugu and Bennu, with a density around 2.4 grams per cubic centimeter. The team's calculations suggest that the impact of DART led to significant reshaping and resurfacing of the asteroid Dimorphos.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is planning a follow-up mission called Hera to study changes made to Dimorphos following its encounter with DART. The name Dimorphos means 'having two forms' in Greek, representing the past and present orbit of the object.


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Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It is not clear if the impact caused permanent deformation or just temporary changes.

Sources

72%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

The Asteroid Dimorphos Looks Totally Different After NASA's DART Mission Walloped It

Gizmodo Passant Rabie Tuesday, 27 February 2024 17:40
  • Unique Points
    • The impact of DART led to significant reshaping and resurfacing of the asteroid Dimorphos
    • Dimorphos is a rubble pile asteroid held together by its weak gravity rather than cohesive strength.
    • Different types of asteroids pose different threats to Earth and require different deflection techniques
  • Accuracy
    • The impact unleashed a giant debris plume into space
    • Dimorphos is a rubble pile asteroid held together by weak gravity
    • Raducan et al. were able to produce simulations consistent with the observed result of the DART project using unknown variables such as composition and density of Dimorphos
  • Deception (50%)
    The article is deceptive in that it implies the DART mission was a success when its primary goal of testing an asteroid deflection method was not met. The impact led to significant reshaping and resurfacing of Dimorphos but did not change its orbital course as intended.
    • The article states 'In September 2022, a NASA spacecraft smashed into a tiny asteroid to nudge it off its orbital course. The mission was a success in testing an asteroid deflection method that may come in handy one day,' but the primary goal of the DART mission was not met as Dimorphos's orbital course remained unchanged.
    • The article states 'NASA’s 1,340-pound spacecraft smashed into the moonlet on September 26, 2022,' but this is a misleading statement as DART did not collide with a moonlet. It actually collided with Dimorphos.
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that NASA's DART mission was a success in testing an asteroid deflection method. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the impact of the spacecraft on Dimorphos as 'warped-rubble pile'. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of Dimorphos before and after the collision, with no mention of any other factors that may have contributed to its shape. The article also contains an informal fallacy by stating that NASA's spacecraft smashed into the moonlet on September 26th without providing any evidence or context for this claim.
    • NASA's DART mission was a success in testing an asteroid deflection method.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
    Passant Rabie has a financial tie to NASA as they are the organization that funded and executed the DART mission. This could compromise their ability to report on the topic objectively.
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
      Passant Rabie has a conflict of interest on the topics of NASA and DART mission as they are directly related to her work at ESA. She also has a financial tie with ESA.

      74%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Asteroid is a ‘very different body’ after being hit by NASA spacecraft, scientists say

      CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Ashley Strickland Tuesday, 27 February 2024 21:05
      • Unique Points
        • The DART spacecraft successfully altered the orbit of asteroid 01:09
        • Dimorphos is a moonlet asteroid that orbits a larger parent asteroid known as Didymos
        • Different types of asteroids pose different threats to Earth and require different deflection techniques
      • Accuracy
        • The impact unleashed a giant debris plume into space
        • Dimorphos is a rubble pile asteroid held together by weak gravity rather than cohesive strength.
        • Raducan et al. were able to produce simulations consistent with the observed result of the DART project using unknown variables such as composition and density of Dimorphos
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (85%)
        The article contains a statement that the DART spacecraft changed Dimorphos' orbital period by about 32 to 33 minutes. This is an example of bias because it implies that the impact was successful in altering the asteroid's motion and therefore supports NASA's mission goals, without providing any evidence or context for this claim.
        • The DART spacecraft changed Dimorphos’ orbital period by about 32 to 33 minutes.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          Ashley Strickland has a conflict of interest on the topic of asteroid deflection technology as she is reporting for NASA. She also has a personal relationship with Queen guitarist Sir Brian May who was involved in the DART mission.
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
            The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of asteroid deflection technology as they are reporting for NASA.

            85%

            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

            NASA’s Crash Into an Asteroid May Have Changed Its Shape

            The Name Of The NZ Prefix. I PWA NZI.P.Was Dropped. Robin George Monday, 26 February 2024 16:00
            • Unique Points
              • Dimorphos is a moonlet asteroid that orbits a larger parent asteroid known as Didymos
              • Different types of asteroids pose different threats to Earth and require different deflection techniques
              • The impact unleashed a giant debris plume into space, which was observed by ground-based telescopes and the Italian LICIACube satellite for 5 minutes and 20 seconds
            • Accuracy
              • The impact caused cheers and applause back on Earth as it successfully shrank the orbit of Dimorphos by 33 minutes.
              • Dimorphos is a rubble pile asteroid held together by its weak gravity rather than cohesive strength.
            • Deception (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Fallacies (85%)
              The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission was deemed a triumph. The author also presents the findings of a new study without providing any evidence or context for their conclusions.
              • Bias (85%)
                The article contains a statement that the asteroid Dimorphos changed shape after being hit by NASA's DART spacecraft. The author does not provide any evidence to support this claim and relies solely on simulations of the impact. Additionally, there is no mention in the article about how these simulations were conducted or what their limitations may be.
                • ]The asteroid’s orbit shrank by 33 minutes, far above the minimum threshold of 73 seconds.
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                  Robin George Andrews has a financial interest in the DART spacecraft as he is an author of a study on its impact. He also has personal relationships with Sabina Raducan and other individuals involved in the mission.
                  • The article mentions that Robin George Andrews was one of the authors of a study on the DART spacecraft's impact, indicating he may have financial ties to it.
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication

                  73%

                  The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                  (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                  A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                  Asteroid Struck by a Spacecraft Might Be 'Healing' as Its Surface Reforms

                  ScienceAlert Michelle Starr Tuesday, 27 February 2024 01:25
                  • Unique Points
                    • Dimorphos is a rubble pile asteroid
                    • Raducan et al. were able to produce simulations consistent with the observed result of the DART project using unknown variables such as composition and density of Dimorphos
                    • The team's calculations suggest that Dimorphos has a cohesive strength less than a few pascals, similar to asteroids Ryugu and Bennu
                    • Dimorphos is slightly denser than Ryugu and Bennu, with a density around 2.4 grams per cubic centimeter
                  • Accuracy
                    • The study indicates that Dimorphos is likely a rubble pile asteroid held together by its weak gravity rather than cohesive strength.
                    • Dimorphos formed from material shed by Didymos, which was re-accumulated and gravitationally bound to orbit the larger asteroid like a tiny moon.
                  • Deception (50%)
                    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title of the article suggests that Dimorphos has been healed by DART's impact when there is no evidence to support this claim. Secondly, the author claims that DART caused global deformation and resurfacing on Dimorphos but fails to provide any supporting evidence for this assertion. Thirdly, the author uses a quote from Raducan et al.'s paper without providing context or citation information.
                    • The title of the article suggests that Dimorphos has been healed by DART's impact when there is no evidence to support this claim.
                  • Fallacies (85%)
                    The article contains an appeal to authority by citing the DART mission and its success in altering the course of an asteroid. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing how this mission has opened up new possibilities for understanding asteroids and their formation. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of Dimorphos as both a rubble pile and not an impact crater after the DART collision, which could be seen as misleading.
                    • The article states that the DART mission was successful in altering the course of an asteroid. However, it does not provide any evidence to support this claim.
                  • Bias (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                    Michelle Starr has a conflict of interest on the topics of asteroid and spacecraft as she is an author for Science Alert.

                    60%

                    The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                    (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                    A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                    NASA Hit An Asteroid So Hard It Completely Changed Its Shape

                    IFL Science Dr. Alfredo Monday, 26 February 2024 17:19
                    • Unique Points
                      • Dimorphos might have experienced global deformation from the event.
                      • DART shortened the period of Didymos by over 33 minutes, and it shed boulders that were seen flying off by several telescopes.
                      • Researchers estimate Dimorphos to be a rubble-pile object similar to asteroids Ryugu and Bennu.
                      • Dimorphos behaved in a very unusual way following the impact because it is thought that Didymos is the accumulation of material shed by Didymos as it spins.
                      • No crater was left behind because the whole asteroid changed around the impact site.
                      • The European Space Agency (ESA) is planning a follow-up mission to study changes made to Dimorphos following its encounter with DART.
                      • Dimorphos formed from material shed by Didymos, which was re-accumulated and gravitationally bound to orbit the larger asteroid like a tiny moon.
                    • Accuracy
                      • The European Space Agency is expected to launch a follow-up mission called Hera that will go and study the new configuration of the system.
                      • Dimorphos means 'having two forms' in Greek, and it was chosen to represent the past and present orbit of the object.
                    • Deception (50%)
                      The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title claims that NASA hit an asteroid so hard it completely changed its shape when in fact there was no change to the shape of Dimorphos after DART impacted it. Secondly, the author states that Didymos might have experienced global deformation from the event but provides no evidence or explanation for this claim. Thirdly, while stating that researchers were able to produce a series of simulations about the properties of Dimorphos and estimate its bulk density and number of boulders on its surface based on data collected by DART before the collision, there is no mention in any other source confirming these estimates. Lastly, when discussing Didymos being thought to be an S-type asteroid with Dimorphos as a rubble pile object similar to Ryugu and Bennu that were visited by sample retrieval missions, it's not clear why this information is relevant or how it supports the claim made in the article. The sources disclosed are NASA/Johns Hopkins APL and Nature Astronomy.
                      • The title claims that NASA hit an asteroid so hard it completely changed its shape when in fact there was no change to the shape of Dimorphos after DART impacted it.
                    • Fallacies (85%)
                      The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that NASA performed the first serious test of planetary protection in space and that DART was expected to shorten the period of the asteroid around Didymos by seven minutes. However, this information is not supported with any evidence or citations.
                      • NASA Hit An Asteroid So Hard It Completely Changed Its Shape
                      • The first serious test of planetary protection in space.
                    • Bias (85%)
                      The article contains a statement that Dimorphos might have experienced global deformation from the event. This is an example of religious bias as it implies that there are supernatural forces at play and not just scientific ones.
                      • > The momentum delivered in such an impact was significant.
                      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                        Dr. Alfredo Carpineti has a financial stake in the European Space Agency as he is an employee of ESA.
                        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                          Dr. Alfredo Carpineti has a conflict of interest on the topics of NASA and asteroid protection as he is an author for IFL Science which is funded by companies in the space industry.