Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART)
What is DART?
An on-orbit demonstration of asteroid deflection is a key test that NASA and other agencies wish to perform before any actual need is present. The DART mission is NASA’s demonstration of kinetic impactor technology, impacting an asteroid to adjust its speed and path. DART will be the first-ever space mission to demonstrate asteroid deflection by kinetic impactor. The spacecraft launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket out of Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
How was Travelling Telescope involved?
Kenya happened to be one of the best places on planet Earth to watch DART intercept its target. On the day, the asteroid Didymos was high in the sky, and in Laikipia, the weather was perfect! The perfect conditions for asteroid watching! That’s why on the 27th of September 2021 we were out in the bush to do outreach and point our telescopes skyward. We collaborated with the DART teams at NASA and ESA to use three of our telescopes to capture images before and after the impact to measure and film the cloud of dust DART kicked up after it impacted. The data we collected gave scientists a better understanding of how much material was ejected from the asteroid and therefore what it is made of. We at the Travelling Telescope are honored to be a part of this incredible mission that has taken the collaboration of many brilliant people across the globe to make it happen.
Where can I learn more?
Both NASA and ESA have a variety of resources where you can learn more about the DART initiative. The official DART website can be found here. There is also a factsheet which can be found here. Finally, the NASA website is always full of interesting articles and news from all the ongoing projects and missions including DART.
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