NASA's Mission Not Only Altered Asteroid's Path, But Its Shape Too, Says New Study

The tiny asteroid's shape could have changed significantly as a direct result of the impact.

A recent study suggests NASA's DART mission, designed to test asteroid deflection methods, may have revealed more than planned. While successfully altering the target asteroid's trajectory, scientists now believe the impact also significantly changed its shape, hinting at a surprising composition.

Previously thought to be a solid rock, Dimorphos, the impacted asteroid, may actually be a loose collection of debris. This conclusion stems from the unexpected level of deformation observed after the collision. Unlike a typical crater, the impact appears to have caused a broader, flatter dent, resembling an M&M candy.

This discovery, published in Nature Astronomy, has significant implications for our understanding of asteroids. It suggests that some, like Dimorphos, might be weaker and easier to deflect than previously thought. This information is crucial for developing future planetary defense strategies against potentially hazardous celestial objects.