Japan's Hayabusa2, seen in this illustration, has been probing the asteroid Ryugu since 2018. The spacecraft is collecting samples that will be returned to Earth. JAXA/Akihiro Ikeshita
Posted on 04/05/2019 11:12:40 AM PDT by Red Badger
Early Friday morning, Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft detonated an explosive device over a small asteroid. The goal was to create a fresh crater that will later be studied by the spacecraft.
Researchers watched from mission control in Sagamihara, Japan, and clapped politely as Hayabusa2 released an experiment known as the Small Carry-on Impactor. The device consisted of a copper disk packed with HMX high-explosive. Once the mothership had safely moved out of the line of fire, the impactor apparently detonated, firing the disk into the side of the asteroid. A camera released by Hayabusa2 appeared to catch the moment of impact, which sent a stream of ejecta into space.
"It went flawlessly," says Harold C. Connolly Jr., a geologist at Rowan University in New Jersey and a co-investigator on Hayabusa2.
[SCI] The deployable camera, DCAM3, successfully photographed the ejector from when the SCI collided with Ryugu’s surface. This is the world’s first collision experiment with an asteroid! In the future, we will examine the crater formed and how the ejector dispersed. pic.twitter.com/eLm6ztM4VX — HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) April 5, 2019
The asteroid is a barren piece of rock known as Ryugu, which measures less than a mile across and orbits between the Earth and Mars. Researchers believe Ryugu may be similar to the early space rocks that glommed together to make planets, including Earth. You've Been To Mars And A Comet; Japan's Space Agency Invites You To An Asteroid Space You've Been To Mars And A Comet; Japan's Space Agency Invites You To An Asteroid
"These particular asteroids are the precursors to what Earth was made from," Connolly says. Ryugu is rich in carbon, and minerals on its surface contain water and so-called prebiotic compounds that could have started life on this planet.
"Ryugu is a time capsule," says Connolly.
This is not Hayabusa2's first attack. In February, the spacecraft physically touched down on Ryugu and fired a small pellet into its surface. The dust kicked up by that opening shot was collected and eventually will provide researchers with detailed information about the asteroid's makeup.
But to really understand Ryugu, researchers also want to know what's down there, and that's why they created Friday's crater. In a few weeks, after the dust has settled, the little spacecraft will survey the blast site to see what lies beneath. It may even land a second time to collect subsurface samples.
The spacecraft is scheduled to leave Ryugu later this year, carrying its samples back to scientists here on Earth. On the return, it will eject a pod containing dust from Ryugu that is expected to land in Australia's outback
Japan's Hayabusa2, seen in this illustration, has been probing the asteroid Ryugu since 2018. The spacecraft is collecting samples that will be returned to Earth. JAXA/Akihiro Ikeshita
I saw the video on BBC
“On the return, it will eject a pod containing dust from Ryugu that is expected to land in Australia’s outback.”
Andromeda Strain here we come.
L
Please stow any carry-on impactors in the overhead bins.
Do you want Godzilla? Because this is how you get Godzilla.
Dang Japanese! I’ll bet they didn’t declare war before attacking that asteroid..
The word is "ejecta," i.e. that which was ejected. An ejector is a mechanical device for tossing unwanted passengers out of the sports car in a high speed chase.
Well, it’s an improvement for them to blow up asteroids instead of American naval bases
While the Japanese conquer space we’re busy helping Pedro, Muhammad and Deshan’tonius conquer our welfare system.
“seen in this illustration”
I was wondering where it got a selfie-stick.
Hayabusa, of love, say what. Thanks Red Badger.
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“While the Japanese conquer space we’re busy helping Pedro, Muhammad and Deshan’tonius conquer our welfare system”
Amen. We the people are played as fools by the globalists and swamp rats whose first priorities are getting rich as cronies; keeping Americans in costly wars creating migrants; open borders; and destroying the USA legacy culture so elites can manipulate us better without the 2nd Amendment.
They should have waited.
Until Sunday morning about 7:40 AM.................
No, “ejecta” is the goo a woman feels on the back of her neck after a Joe Biden hug.
Greater East Solar Co-Prosperity Sphere?
Just in time for Emperor Naruhito.
CONGRATULATIONS on winning the most tasteless post of the day award.
Q: “Sir, has anyone given you anything or asked you to carry on or check any items for them”
A: “No. Well, just this Small Carry-On Impactor.”
Very good! LOLOL!
Their emissaries have departed and are on their way home as we write.
Perfectly worded humor. It took all my strength to not LOL HARD on that one. :)
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