NASA craft that diverted space rock also dented it

Context: NASA's DART spacecraft successfully impacted the asteroid Dimorphos in 2022, demonstrating the capability to change celestial objects' trajectories and safeguard Earth from potential collisions.
The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, launched by NASA in November 2021, marked a significant milestone in humanity's efforts towards planetary defense. It was the world's first mission dedicated to testing a method for deflecting near-Earth objects (NEOs) through kinetic impact.

Mission Objectives

  • Testing Kinetic Impact: The primary objective of DART was to assess the effectiveness of a spacecraft impact in altering the trajectory of an asteroid.
  • Target Selection: DART did not target a potentially hazardous asteroid. Instead, it aimed for Dimorphos, a moonlet orbiting the larger asteroid Didymos. This system posed no threat to Earth and provided a safe environment to test deflection techniques.

Mission Success

  • Impact Confirmed: On September 26, 2022, DART successfully collided with Dimorphos at a relative speed of approximately 14,000 miles per hour (22,500 kilometers per hour).
  • Trajectory Change: The impact demonstrably shortened Dimorphos' orbital period around Didymos by 32 minutes, exceeding the pre-mission success threshold of 73 seconds. This achievement validated the kinetic impact method as a viable option for deflecting potentially threatening asteroids in the future.

Significance of DART

  • Planetary Defense Strategy: The DART mission provides valuable data for developing and refining future planetary defense strategies. The mission's success demonstrates the feasibility of deflecting asteroids through kinetic impact, offering a crucial tool for protecting Earth from potential asteroid collisions.
  • Future Missions: DART paves the way for further exploration of deflection techniques. Data collected from the mission will inform the design and execution of future planetary defense missions, potentially involving larger spacecraft or multiple impacts for more significant deflection.
 

Why has Karnataka banned certain colouring agents?

Context: Karnataka joins Tamil Nadu and Goa in banning harmful colouring agents used in cotton candy and gobi manchurian following a survey by the Public Health Department revealing unsafe levels of chemicals.

Survey Findings

  • Unsafe Samples: Out of the collected samples, a significant number were found to contain harmful chemicals, rendering them unsafe for consumption.
  • Chemicals Detected: Traces of sunset yellow, tartrazine, rhodamine-b, and carmoisine were found in the unsafe samples, posing health risks.

Harmful Chemicals and Regulations

  • Usage Restrictions: While some artificial colors like tartrazine are permitted under specific conditions, others like rhodamine-b are banned due to their carcinogenic nature.
  • Legal Consequences: Offenders face hefty fines and imprisonment under the Food Safety and Standards Act for violating regulations regarding food additives.

Enforcement and Awareness

  • Immediate Implementation: The ban on harmful chemicals is now in effect, with stringent penalties for violators.
  • Consumer Awareness: The government plans to educate both manufacturers and consumers about the risks associated with artificial colors, urging caution in food consumption.

Future Measures

  • Continued Monitoring: Regular checks will be conducted to ensure compliance with the ban, extending to other food items potentially containing harmful additives.
  • Expansion of Regulations: Other popular food products like kebabs may face scrutiny for their use of coloring agents in the future.

 

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