Dr. Uisdean Nicholson, a marine geologist from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, first identified the Nadir Crater in 2022. “The new images paint a picture of the catastrophic event,” he stated. This crater, formed by an asteroid estimated to be around a quarter of a mile in size, is smaller than the asteroid that created the Chicxulub crater in Mexico, which has long been linked to the extinction event. Yet, the Nadir impact could have compounded the effects of the Chicxulub impact, amplifying the devastation caused.
3D Imaging Reveals Asteroid Impact Details
Researchers used 3D seismic imaging technology to map the Nadir Crater, which lies approximately 300 meters beneath the seabed. The data, provided by global geophysical company TGS, has allowed scientists to visualize the crater’s structure in unprecedented detail. “There are around 20 confirmed marine craters worldwide, and none of them has been captured in anything close to this level of detail. It’s exquisite,” said Dr. Nicholson.
The research team believes that the asteroid, traveling at speeds exceeding 45,000 mph, triggered a series of catastrophic events. These include violent earthquakes that caused landslides and the formation of new faults beneath the ocean floor. The impact also generated a massive tsunami, estimated to be over 800 meters tall, which likely spread across the Atlantic Ocean.
Although smaller than the asteroid that formed the Chicxulub crater, the Nadir impact may have contributed to a larger, combined effect that played a significant role in the mass extinction of 75% of Earth’s species, including dinosaurs. However, researchers are still uncertain about the exact timing of this impact in relation to the Chicxulub event.
NASA’s DART Mission and ESA’s Hera Mission Aim to Improve Planetary Defense
While researchers uncover more about past asteroid impacts, global space agencies are focused on future planetary defense strategies. In 2022, NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission successfully demonstrated a method of asteroid deflection by deliberately crashing a spacecraft into a small asteroid called Dimorphos, which orbits a larger asteroid named Didymos. The mission aimed to test whether a kinetic impact could effectively alter an asteroid’s trajectory, providing a potential solution if an asteroid were ever on a collision course with Earth.DART smashed into Dimorphos at approximately four miles per second, shortening its orbit around Didymos by about 32 minutes. This significant change in orbit came as a surprise to scientists, who had only expected a minor shift. “The Dart mission was a spectacular success as a demonstration of asteroid deflection technology, but as a science experiment, it generated as many questions as it provided answers,” said Professor Gareth Collins, a member of the Hera science team from Imperial College London.
Hera Mission to Further Investigate Asteroid Deflection
To answer these remaining questions, the European Space Agency (ESA) is launching the Hera mission, scheduled for liftoff from Cape Canaveral aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The spacecraft will revisit the Didymos-Dimorphos system to gather detailed observations of the impact site, helping scientists understand how the asteroid was altered by DART’s collision. Hera is expected to arrive at the asteroid system in late 2026, following a flyby of Mars in 2025.
According to ESA, Hera will be equipped with various scientific instruments, including two Asteroid Framing Cameras, a Thermal InfraRed Imager, and two CubeSats (Juventas and Milani). These tools will help map the asteroids’ surface, measure their mass, and detect any changes caused by the impact.
Paolo Martino, Hera’s lead engineer at ESA, expressed excitement about the mission’s objectives. “It’s a series of breathtaking moments. The first one is surviving the launch,” he said. Hera’s mission is vital for determining the most effective techniques for deflecting asteroids if a future threat emerges. “If we ever have a real threat in the future, we’ll be in a position to choose the best technique,” Martino added.
Planetary Defense Efforts Continue Amid SpaceX Rocket Issue
Hera’s launch follows NASA’s successful Crew-9 mission, which recently docked with the International Space Station. However, during the mission, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket experienced an issue with its second stage, causing it to land outside the intended area. While NASA is investigating the problem with SpaceX, it has assured that the issue will not affect the upcoming Hera mission or other planned launches, including the Europa Clipper mission set for October 2024.
Despite these challenges, Hera’s launch marks a critical step forward in planetary defense research. The spacecraft’s data will help researchers refine asteroid redirection strategies and better prepare for any potential future asteroid threats.
The discovery of the Nadir Crater adds a new layer of complexity to our understanding of the events that led to the extinction of dinosaurs. Meanwhile, ESA’s Hera mission will continue to build on NASA’s success with DART, advancing global efforts to protect Earth from potential asteroid impacts.
As scientists continue to investigate both past and future threats, these missions highlight the importance of preparedness and planetary defense for the survival of life on Earth.