Could a human-made meteor shower light up our skies? A controlled impact between a NASA probe and an asteroid has recently resulted in the release of millions of space fragments.
These fragments are headed towards Earth and Mars, potentially offering an unprecedented but harmless light spectacle.
In September 2022, NASA conducted a groundbreaking experiment to assess our ability to deflect a threatening asteroid. The DART probe collided at high speed with Dimorphos, a satellite of the asteroid Didymos, located about 6.8 million miles (11 million kilometers) from Earth.
The aim was to alter the trajectory of Dimorphos. And it was a success: the asteroid's path was deflected. However, this impact generated more than three million fragments of various sizes, according to a study published in
The Planetary Science Journal.
Simulations conducted by Spanish and Italian researchers predict that some of these debris pieces will reach Earth and Mars within the next few decades. The smallest fragments, measuring up to 4 inches (10 centimeters), will enter the atmosphere at speeds of up to 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) per second.
Despite these impressive speeds, scientists estimate that these debris pieces pose no threat. Eloy Peña-Asensio, the lead researcher, explains that due to their small size and high speed, they will disintegrate in the atmosphere, creating a spectacular luminous trail.
This first "artificial meteor shower," dubbed the "Dimorphides," could be visible from the Southern Hemisphere by 2055, especially in May. Astronomy enthusiasts could then witness an unprecedented spectacle.
For now, scientists are preparing to study the consequences of this impact in more detail. In October 2026, the European Space Agency's Hera mission will reach Dimorphos to analyze the distribution of the fragments and refine our planetary defense strategy.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND