Dimorphos

Formerly known as Didymos B, Dimorphos is the natural satellite of Didymos, measuring about 160 meters (525 feet) in diameter. Its significance lies in being the target of NASA's DART (Double Asteroid Redirect Test) mission, which aims to demonstrate the kinetic impactor technique for asteroid deflection. This mission seeks to test the capability of redirecting the trajectory of potentially hazardous asteroids by impacting Dimorphos, providing crucial insights into asteroid impact dynamics and methods for planetary defense against potential asteroid threats. Colliding with Dimorphos in September 2022, DART decreased the orbital period of the moon around Didymos by 32 minutes, and created an active asteroid which left a tail of debris observable across space.