Webb Captures Detailed Views of DART Impact

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Webb Captures Detailed Views of DART Impact

This is a series of 9 observations taken by Webb’s NIRCam instrument, capturing the effects of the DART mission colliding with asteroid Dimorphos as a test of planetary defense. Webb wasn’t the only space telescope with eyes on this target — Hubble also caught the aftermath of the impact, marking the first time both telescopes were used to observe the same target at the same time.

Webb took one observation of the impact location pre-collision, then several observations over the next few hours. The images from Webb’s NIRCam instrument show a tight, compact core, with plumes of material appearing as wisps streaming from the center of the impact site.

Observing the DART mission impact with Webb was a unique challenge. The asteroid moved over at a speed over 3 times faster than the original speed limit Webb was designed to track! In the weeks leading up to the impact, teams carefully tested how they would accomplish the task.

By the way, this isn’t the last Webb is seeing of this asteroid! Scientists plan to follow-up by observing the same asteroid system with Webb’s MIRI and NIRSpec instruments, both of which should provide insight into the chemical makeup of Dimorphos.

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Publiésert Mandag 03 oktober 2022
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Overskrift : Webb Captures Detailed Views of DART Impact
Bildetekst : This is a series of 9 observations taken by Webb’s NIRCam instrument, capturing the effects of the DART mission colliding with asteroid Dimorphos as a test of planetary defense. Webb wasn’t the only space telescope with eyes on this target — Hubble also caught the aftermath of the impact, marking the first time both telescopes were used to observe the same target at the same time. Webb took one observation of the impact location pre-collision, then several observations over the next few hours. The images from Webb’s NIRCam instrument show a tight, compact core, with plumes of material appearing as wisps streaming from the center of the impact site. Observing the DART mission impact with Webb was a unique challenge. The asteroid moved over at a speed over 3 times faster than the original speed limit Webb was designed to track! In the weeks leading up to the impact, teams carefully tested how they would accomplish the task. By the way, this isn’t the last Webb is seeing of this asteroid! Scientists plan to follow-up by observing the same asteroid system with Webb’s MIRI and NIRSpec instruments, both of which should provide insight into the chemical makeup of Dimorphos.

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