Details of our meeting this month. We continue to hold hybrid in-person and online Zoom meetings for our paid members, who will receive email meeting notifications. The public are welcome to attend our meetings once for free and are then encouraged to join.

‘Defending Earth, One Cosmic Crash Test at a Time’

Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Steve Gribben


We’re very happy to have NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Jennie ‘Starstuff’ King present to us.

Description:-

On September 26, 2022, a quiet binary asteroid system had a very interesting day. Didymos, the larger asteroid of the system, watched as a spacecraft deliberately slammed into its smaller moonlet, Dimorphos. Meanwhile, telescopes on Earth directed their gaze toward this event in order to witness the aftermath of the collision and to collect valuable data. This dramatic encounter, known as the DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test), was humanity’s first test of the kinetic impactor method for asteroid deflection– in other words, it marked the first time anyone has tried to change an asteroid’s path through space. Because the asteroid Dimorphos poses no danger to Earth, it provided a welcome opportunity to demonstrate technology that could one day save lives in the event of a real threat. This talk will address the goals and results of this cosmic crash test, as well as the broader topic of humanity’s planetary defense efforts.

Bio :-

Jennie “Starstuff” King is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s astronomy program. While studying astronomy and physics, she discovered her deep love of STEM education and outreach. She first brought her love of space exploration to the classroom as a high school AP Physics and Engineering teacher in Denver, Colorado. Jennie became a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador in order to encourage others to explore the wonders of the cosmos with their hearts, minds and imaginations. As a new Vancouver area resident, Jennie looks forward to connecting with the astronomy and STEM education communities of BC and beyond. Solar System Ambassador Directory Link   /   Twitter Profile