Ejecta Evolution Following a Planned Impact into an Asteroid: The First Five Weeks
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Published:2023-12-01
Issue:1
Volume:959
Page:L12
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ISSN:2041-8205
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Container-title:The Astrophysical Journal Letters
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language:
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Short-container-title:ApJL
Author:
Kareta TheodoreORCID, Thomas CristinaORCID, Li Jian-YangORCID, Knight Matthew M.ORCID, Moskovitz NicholasORCID, Rożek AgataORCID, Bannister Michele T.ORCID, Ieva SimoneORCID, Snodgrass ColinORCID, Pravec PetrORCID, Ryan Eileen V., Ryan William H., Fahnestock Eugene G.ORCID, Rivkin Andrew S.ORCID, Chabot NancyORCID, Fitzsimmons AlanORCID, Osip David, Lister TimORCID, Sarid GalORCID, Hirabayashi MasatoshiORCID, Farnham TonyORCID, Tancredi GonzaloORCID, Michel PatrickORCID, Wainscoat RichardORCID, Weryk RobORCID, Burrati Bonnie, Pittichová JanaORCID, Ridden-Harper RyanORCID, Tan Nicole J.ORCID, Tristram Paul, Brown Tyler, Bonavita MariangelaORCID, Burgdorf MartinORCID, Khalouei ElaheORCID, Longa PenelopeORCID, Rabus MarkusORCID, Sajadian SedigheORCID, Jorgensen Uffe GraaeORCID, Dominik MartinORCID, Kikwaya Jean-Baptiste, Mazzotta Epifani Elena, Dotto Elisabetta, Deshapriya Prasanna, Hasselmann PedroORCID, Dall’Ora Massimo, Abe Lyu, Guillot TristanORCID, Mékarnia DjamelORCID, Agabi Abdelkrim, Bendjoya PhilippeORCID, Suarez OlgaORCID, Triaud AmauryORCID, Gasparetto Thomas, Günther Maximillian N., Kueppers Michael, Merin BrunoORCID, Chatelain JosephORCID, Gomez EdwardORCID, Usher HelenORCID, Stoddard-Jones Cai, Bartnik Matthew, Bellaver Michael, Chetan Brenna, Dugan Emma, Fallon Tori, Fedewa Jeremy, Gerhard Caitlyn, Jacobson Seth A.ORCID, Painter Shane, Peterson David-Michael, Rodriguez Joseph E.ORCID, Smith Cody, Sokolovsky Kirill V.ORCID, Sullivan Hannah, Townley Kate, Watson Sarah, Webb Levi, Trigo-Rodríguez Josep M., Llenas Josep M., Pérez-García Ignacio, Castro-Tirado A. J., Vincent Jean-Baptiste, Migliorini Alessandra, Lazzarin Monica, La Forgia FiorangelaORCID, Ferrari Fabio, Polakis Tom, Skiff Brian
Abstract
Abstract
The impact of the Double Asteroid Redirection Test spacecraft into Dimorphos, moon of the asteroid Didymos, changed Dimorphos’s orbit substantially, largely from the ejection of material. We present results from 12 Earth-based facilities involved in a world-wide campaign to monitor the brightness and morphology of the ejecta in the first 35 days after impact. After an initial brightening of ∼1.4 mag, we find consistent dimming rates of 0.11–0.12 mag day−1 in the first week, and 0.08–0.09 mag day−1 over the entire study period. The system returned to its pre-impact brightness 24.3–25.3 days after impact though the primary ejecta tail remained. The dimming paused briefly eight days after impact, near in time to the appearance of the second tail. This was likely due to a secondary release of material after re-impact of a boulder released in the initial impact, though movement of the primary ejecta through the aperture likely played a role.
Funder
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Publisher
American Astronomical Society
Subject
Space and Planetary Science,Astronomy and Astrophysics
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