A new study has found that an asteroid NASA used for target practice a few years ago was nudged into a slightly different route around the sun.
that a celestial body’s orbit around the sun was deliberately changed. The asteroid that NASA's Dart spacecraft slammed into was never a threat to Earth.“This study marks a notable step forward in our ability to prevent future asteroid impacts on Earth,” the international research team wrote in Science Advances.
The changes were slight — reductions of just one-tenth of a second and one-half of a mile to a solar lap spanning two years and hundreds of millions of miles , according to the scientists. “Even though this seems small, a tiny deflection ... can add up over decades and make the difference between a potentially hazardous asteroid hitting or missing the Earth in the future,” lead author Rahil Makadia, of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, said in an email. For any save-the-planet tests, “the key isn’t delivering a huge shove at the last minute. The key is delivering a tiny shove many years in advance," he added. Launched in 2021 on the world’s first planetary defense exercise, the Dart spacecraft deliberately plowed into Dimorphos, which orbits a bigger asteroid, Didymos, as they circle the sun together. The space agency quickly determined that the 2022 strike trimmed the smaller asteroid's orbit around its bigger companion. But it took until now for scientists to confirm, based on observations from around the world, that the impact cut the duo’s travel time around the sun by 0.15 seconds. With each solar orbit lasting 769 days, that’s a real-time slowdown of just over 10 micrometers per second, shrinking the asteroids’ 300-million-mile orbit by 2,360 feet . The researchers said all the boulders and other debris flung off Dimorphos in the crash provided as much push to Dimorphos as the spacecraft itself — a doubling of momentum. Last summer, a U.S.-Italian team estimated that 35 million pounds of rock and dust were ejected. The good news is that even with the change in the asteroids’ course, Earth remains safely out of their way for the foreseeable future. That’s why this rubble-packed system was picked for the mission, said Steven Chesley of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who took part in the study. “While it is just a single experiment, it is nonetheless an important data point that will be relevant to any future asteroid deflection missions,” Chesley said in an email. Scientists expect to learn even more about the impact’s aftermath when the European Space Agency’s Hera spacecraft reaches the asteroids in November. Dimorphos is 525 feet in diameter. Fast-spinning Didymos is 2,560 feet across with, according to the latest study, 200 times more mass than its sidekick. Unlike Dart, Hera will not strike but will tag along for months of surveying. A pair of small experimental probes will peel away and attempt to land.The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Longer yellow lights, digital ID protections included in proposed Florida transportation billFSCJ Manta Rays reach NJCAA mascot final; community urged to voteTeachers raise alarm over bill requiring unions to show support from 50% of employeesSt. Johns County Sergeant who pulled driver from fiery I-95 crash recounts rescueJacksonville’s PATH program shows early progress reducing downtown homelessnessIt's gonna be warm! Start hydrating early for Gate River RunJustice 4 All: How proposed legislation could impact homeowners with poolsMayor Deegan approves 3 a.m. alcohol sales downtown; some News4JAX viewers question safetyHow Florida’s fishing license change could impact touristsBig changes runners need to know for Gate River Run ExpoMan charged after 1 killed, 2 wounded by gunfire at construction site in St. Johns County1:03Bus company confirms driver removed from service after unauthorized person boards school busOceanway residents disappointed in committee’s decision to approve storage unit developmentUNF poll finds that Florida voters are split on Trump's immigration policyHappy clouds on a Happy Humpday. When will we get some rain?Photos show Jacksonville-based Navy ships, helicopters playing key roles in ‘Operation Epic FuryHow the Middle East conflict will affect travelSt. Johns County deputies pull man away from fiery crash on I-95Jacksonville HIV advocate warns of crisis as thousands lose medication accessPassion 4 Pets: Taco is looking for his furever home 🌮Race director's Top 5 things to know for a successful Gate River Run -- with a bonus from MelanieRace director's Top 5 things to know for a successful Gate River Run -- with a bonus from MelanieLIFT JAX, Swisher announce $135M expansion to create jobs for Eastside residentsGas prices spike overnight. Will they continue to rise?Manatees at Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens enjoy new river habitat
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