The Hera spacecraft was launched from Florida to study an asteroid. This asteroid was moved by NASA in 2022 to see if we can stop dangerous asteroids from hitting Earth. Hera will reach the asteroid, called Dimorphos, in December 2026. Dimorphos is a small moon that orbits another asteroid named Didymos.

When Hera arrives, it will look at the crater made when NASA hit Dimorphos. It will also study what the asteroid is made of and how much it weighs. Scientists want to learn more about asteroids to stop them from hitting Earth in the future. Even though big asteroid impacts are rare, smaller ones could still be dangerous.

NASA showed it is possible to change an asteroid’s path, but there are still challenges. The Hera mission will help us understand asteroids better. Scientists want to use this knowledge to protect Earth from future asteroid impacts. By studying these space rocks, we can be more prepared for any threats.

Original news source: Spacecraft launches towards knocked-off-course asteroid (BBC)

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Write down key words related to the article on small pieces of paper (e.g., Hera spacecraft, asteroid, Dimorphos, NASA, study, impact). Have students take turns picking a piece of paper and acting out the word without speaking while the others guess what it is.

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Each pair will read the article and summarize it in their own words. Then, one student from each pair will share their summary with the class. Encourage them to include the main points of the article.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down vocabulary words from the article on the board (e.g., spacecraft, asteroid, impact). Have students take turns coming to the board to draw the word while the others guess what it is. This will help reinforce their understanding of the new vocabulary.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of statements related to the article (e.g., “I think studying asteroids is important,” “I believe NASA should focus on other projects,” “I am interested in space exploration”). Have students move around the room and ask their classmates for their opinions on each statement, marking down their responses.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Ask students to think about how they would feel if they were part of the Hera mission or if they were scientists studying asteroids. Then, have them pair up to discuss their thoughts. Finally, select a few pairs to share their ideas with the whole class.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the name of the spacecraft that was launched to study an asteroid?
2. When will Hera reach the asteroid Dimorphos?
3. What will Hera look at when it arrives at Dimorphos?
4. Why do scientists want to study asteroids?
5. What did NASA do in 2022 to the asteroid Dimorphos?
6. What is Dimorphos, and what does it orbit around?
7. How do scientists hope to use the knowledge gained from the Hera mission?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The Hera (1)______ was (2)______ from Florida to study an asteroid. This asteroid was moved by NASA in 2022 to see if we can stop dangerous asteroids from hitting Earth. Hera will reach the asteroid, called Dimorphos, in (3)______ 2026. (4)______ is a small moon that orbits another asteroid named Didymos.

When (5)______ arrives, it will look at the (6)______ made when NASA hit Dimorphos. It will also study what the asteroid is made of and how much it weighs. Scientists want to (7)______ more about asteroids to stop them from hitting Earth in the future. Even though big asteroid impacts are (8)______, smaller ones could still be dangerous.

(9)______ showed it is possible to change an asteroid’s path, but there are still challenges. The Hera (10)______ will help us (11)______ asteroids better. (12)______ want to use this knowledge to protect Earth from future asteroid impacts. By studying these space rocks, we can be more prepared for any threats.
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💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What do you think about space exploration?
2. How would you feel if you saw a real asteroid in the sky?
3. Do you like learning about planets and space?
4. What is an asteroid?
5. Do you think it’s important to study asteroids? Why or why not?
6. How do you think scientists can protect Earth from asteroids?
7. What would you do if you were in charge of studying asteroids?
8. Why do you think NASA wants to stop dangerous asteroids from hitting Earth?
9. How do you think Hera will help scientists understand asteroids better?
10. Do you think it’s possible to change an asteroid’s path? Why or why not?
11. If you could visit an asteroid, would you go? Why or why not?
12. Why is it important for us to be prepared for any asteroid threats?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. spacecraft
2. asteroid
3. launched
4. crater
5. orbits
6. impacts
7. challenges
8. mission
9. scientists
10. protect
11. prepared
12. threats

Meanings:
(A) A big hole made by something hitting a surface
(B) Possible dangers or problems
(C) Hits or crashes
(D) A vehicle made to travel in space
(E) Keep safe from harm
(F) Sent into the sky or space
(G) Difficulties or problems to solve
(H) A special job or task to do
(I) Ready for something
(J) People who study and learn about things
(K) Moves around something in a circle
(L) A large rock in space
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the spacecraft launched to study an asteroid?
(a) Zeus
(b) Athena
(c) Apollo
(d) Hera

2. When will Hera reach the asteroid Dimorphos?
(a) December 2026
(b) January 2025
(c) March 2023
(d) November 2027

3. What is Dimorphos?
(a) A planet
(b) A star
(c) A small moon
(d) A comet

4. What will Hera study when it reaches Dimorphos?
(a) How fast the asteroid is moving
(b) The crater made by NASA
(c) The color of the asteroid
(d) The weather on Dimorphos

5. Why do scientists want to learn more about asteroids?
(a) To make them hit Earth
(b) To prevent them from hitting Earth
(c) To study their beauty
(d) To create more asteroids

6. What did NASA show is possible to change?
(a) The color of an asteroid
(b) The size of an asteroid
(c) An asteroid’s path
(d) The shape of an asteroid

7. What will the Hera mission help us understand better?
(a) Asteroids
(b) Stars
(c) Planets
(d) Moons

8. Why do scientists study space rocks like asteroids?
(a) To make jewelry
(b) To build houses
(c) To create new planets
(d) To be prepared for any threats

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Hera will reach Dimorphos in December 2026.
2. Scientists want to learn more about asteroids to prevent them from hitting Earth in the future.
3. Hera will not study the crater made when NASA hit Dimorphos and what the asteroid is made of.
4. The Hera mission will not help us understand asteroids better to protect Earth from future impacts.
5. Dimorphos is a small moon that orbits an asteroid called Didymos.
6. The Hera spacecraft was not launched to study an asteroid.
7. NASA has not shown it’s possible to change an asteroid’s path, but there are still challenges.
8. NASA moved the asteroid Dimorphos in 2022 to test if dangerous asteroids can be stopped from hitting Earth.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the name of the spacecraft that was launched to study an asteroid?
2. When will the Hera spacecraft reach the asteroid Dimorphos?
3. Why do scientists want to study asteroids like Dimorphos?
4. What did NASA show is possible to do with an asteroid’s path?
5. How can studying asteroids help protect Earth from future impacts?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the name of the spacecraft that was launched to study an asteroid?
The name of the spacecraft is Hera.

2. When will Hera reach the asteroid Dimorphos?
Hera will reach the asteroid Dimorphos in December 2026.

3. What will Hera look at when it arrives at Dimorphos?
Hera will look at the crater made when NASA hit Dimorphos and study what the asteroid is made of and how much it weighs.

4. Why do scientists want to study asteroids?
Scientists want to study asteroids to learn more about them and prevent them from hitting Earth in the future.

5. What did NASA do in 2022 to the asteroid Dimorphos?
NASA moved the asteroid Dimorphos to see if we can stop dangerous asteroids from hitting Earth.

6. What is Dimorphos, and what does it orbit around?
Dimorphos is a small moon that orbits another asteroid named Didymos.

7. How do scientists hope to use the knowledge gained from the Hera mission?
Scientists hope to use the knowledge gained from the Hera mission to protect Earth from future asteroid impacts by being more prepared for any threats.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) spacecraft
(2) launched
(3) December
(4) Dimorphos
(5) Hera
(6) crater
(7) learn
(8) rare
(9) NASA
(10) mission
(11) understand
(12) Scientists
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. spacecraft
Answer: (D) A vehicle made to travel in space

2. asteroid
Answer: (L) A large rock in space

3. launched
Answer: (F) Sent into the sky or space

4. crater
Answer: (A) A big hole made by something hitting a surface

5. orbits
Answer: (K) Moves around something in a circle

6. impacts
Answer: (C) Hits or crashes

7. challenges
Answer: (G) Difficulties or problems to solve

8. mission
Answer: (H) A special job or task to do

9. scientists
Answer: (J) People who study and learn about things

10. protect
Answer: (E) Keep safe from harm

11. prepared
Answer: (I) Ready for something

12. threats
Answer: (B) Possible dangers or problems
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the spacecraft launched to study an asteroid?
Answer: (d) Hera

2. When will Hera reach the asteroid Dimorphos?
Answer: (a) December 2026

3. What is Dimorphos?
Answer: (c) A small moon

4. What will Hera study when it reaches Dimorphos?
Answer: (b) The crater made by NASA

5. Why do scientists want to learn more about asteroids?
Answer: (b) To prevent them from hitting Earth

6. What did NASA show is possible to change?
Answer: (c) An asteroid’s path

7. What will the Hera mission help us understand better?
Answer: (a) Asteroids

8. Why do scientists study space rocks like asteroids?
Answer: (d) To be prepared for any threats
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Hera will reach Dimorphos in December 2026. (Answer: True)
2. Scientists want to learn more about asteroids to prevent them from hitting Earth in the future. (Answer: True)
3. Hera will not study the crater made when NASA hit Dimorphos and what the asteroid is made of. (Answer: False)
4. The Hera mission will not help us understand asteroids better to protect Earth from future impacts. (Answer: False)
5. Dimorphos is a small moon that orbits an asteroid called Didymos. (Answer: True)
6. The Hera spacecraft was not launched to study an asteroid. (Answer: False)
7. NASA has not shown it’s possible to change an asteroid’s path, but there are still challenges. (Answer: False)
8. NASA moved the asteroid Dimorphos in 2022 to test if dangerous asteroids can be stopped from hitting Earth. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧