The directional collision of the probe with an asteroid as part of the DART mission was successfully completed on September 26, 2022. NASA said that the purpose of the mission was to study a way to deflect rocky bodies from the Earth.
During the experiment, the space probe crashed into an asteroid, which changed its trajectory and speed. However, despite the fact that the mission will help prevent potentially dangerous asteroids from colliding with Earth, fragments formed as a result of the impact can fall on our planet and Mars.
According to the study, parts of the destroyed asteroid can reach the Red Planet in about 13 years, and the Earth in seven.
Nevertheless, computer simulations have shown that it may take up to 30 years before the remains of the Dimorph can be visualized. At the same time, current observations of meteorites will allow us to determine whether the collision with the asteroid contributed to the appearance of a new meteor shower.
However, the scientists stressed that even if these fragments reach the Earth, they will not pose any danger: due to their small size and high speed, they will disintegrate in the atmosphere, leaving a beautiful glowing trail.
