Rare Martian Moon Photos Captured by HERA on Its Journey to Asteroid Collision

A European spacecraft, HERA, recently swung by Mars and took some exciting images of its small moon, Deimos. This visit is part of HERA’s mission to investigate an asteroid collision that NASA’s DART mission caused in 2022. The goal? To see how effective asteroid impacts might be for defending Earth against potential threats.

HERA won’t arrive at its destination—an asteroid that’s about 11 million kilometers away—until late 2026. To help with its long journey, the spacecraft used a gravity assist from Mars, getting a boost that saved fuel and redirected its path. During its close flyby, HERA was just 5,600 kilometers from Mars, moving at a speed of over 33,000 kilometers an hour. It snapped around 600 photos during this short encounter, including some rare images of Deimos.

Deimos, which is just 12.5 kilometers wide, is one of Mars’ two moons. Unlike Phobos, which is larger and receives more attention, Deimos remains a mystery. Scientists debate its origins; some believe it was once an asteroid captured by Mars’ gravity, while others think it might have been formed from debris from a significant impact on Mars.

The recent images add more data to the ongoing discussion about Deimos’ formation. According to Marcel Popescu from the Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy, these findings are crucial in piecing together the story of both Mars’ moons. The HERA spacecraft is equipped with advanced tools like "HyperScout" and thermal infrared imagers. These instruments can detect colors beyond human sight and are expected to provide insights into the moon’s composition, further illuminating its origin.

Shifts in public interest and curiosity about space are also notable. Social media is buzzing with images and discussions surrounding the HERA mission, showcasing how people are drawn to new discoveries. For instance, ESA shared the first images from the Mars flyby on Twitter, sparking excitement among space enthusiasts.

Looking ahead, HERA will focus back on Dimorphos. NASA’s DART mission proved that a direct impact could alter the asteroid’s orbit, a technique that might one day protect Earth from hazardous space rocks. The need for effective planetary defense is growing. This year, scientists detected a new asteroid that briefly posed a 3% chance of hitting Earth in 2032, though that risk was later reduced to nearly zero after further observations.

Richard Moissl, who leads the ESA’s planetary defense office, highlighted that as our technology improves, we’ll discover more asteroids and their potential threats sooner. The ESA is also planning a new mission, Ramses, to closely study the asteroid Apophis, which is set to come within 32,000 kilometers of Earth in April 2029. If the ESA’s ministerial council approves it, Ramses could offer invaluable data just before Apophis approaches.

Space exploration is not just about discovery but also about ensuring the survival of life on Earth. As our understanding of the cosmos deepens, missions like HERA play a crucial role in keeping us safe from celestial dangers.

For more on the mission and its significance, you can visit the ESA’s official resource page here.

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