The European Space Agency has launched a spacecraft called Hera to study an asteroid that Nasa intentionally moved off its path in 2022. The goal is to learn from Nasa's collision with the asteroid Dimorphos and see if we can prevent dangerous asteroids from hitting Earth. Hera is set to reach Dimorphos, which is about seven million miles away, in December 2026. This mission follows Nasa's successful Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) project, which changed Dimorphos's course slightly.

Dimorphos is a small moon, 160 meters wide, that orbits an asteroid called Didymos near Earth. Nasa's collision with Dimorphos was a test to see if we can redirect asteroids that might threaten Earth. The Hera spacecraft will study the impact crater made on Dimorphos, examine the asteroid's composition and mass using cube-shaped probes, and gather information about its physical characteristics. This knowledge will help us develop ways to intercept asteroids of different sizes and shapes in the future.

Although the chances of a catastrophic asteroid impact like the one that wiped out the dinosaurs are low, smaller asteroids can still be dangerous. In 2013, a house-sized asteroid exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, causing a lot of damage and injuries. Scientists are working on systems to detect and divert such asteroids to reduce potential harm. The Hera mission is part of ongoing efforts to improve our ability to spot and deal with asteroid risks, recognizing that stopping asteroids requires early detection and precise action.

Nasa's success in changing Dimorphos's path with the DART project shows that redirecting asteroids is possible. However, it is still challenging to find and intercept asteroids before they get close to Earth. Scientists stress the need to create systems to spot and handle asteroid threats, underscoring the importance of continuous research and teamwork in planetary defense. By using advancements in space technology, researchers hope to strengthen our ability to protect Earth from potential asteroid impacts.

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

– News Summary
Instructions: Ask students to summarize the main points of the article about the Hera spacecraft and its mission to study the asteroid Dimorphos. Encourage them to focus on key details such as the purpose of the mission, the success of the DART project, and the importance of asteroid detection and prevention.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into teams. Give each team a list of vocabulary words from the article (e.g., spacecraft, asteroid, collision, intercept). One student from each team has to draw the word while the other team members try to guess. This activity helps reinforce key vocabulary from the article.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Have students move around the class and ask their classmates about their opinions on the importance of studying asteroids and developing ways to prevent asteroid impacts on Earth. Encourage them to ask follow-up questions to gather more detailed responses. After collecting data, students can share and discuss the results as a class.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Pair up students and ask them to choose a scene or concept from the article to sketch. For example, they could draw the Hera spacecraft reaching the asteroid Dimorphos. After they finish sketching, have them explain their drawing to their partner. This activity encourages creativity and speaking practice.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Pose a discussion question to the class related to the article, such as "Why is it important to study asteroids and develop methods to prevent asteroid impacts?" Give students a few minutes to think about their response, then have them pair up to discuss their ideas. Finally, ask a few pairs to share their thoughts with the whole class for a group discussion.

The European Space Agency has launched a spacecraft ? Hera to study an asteroid that Nasa intentionally moved off its path in 2022. The goal is to ? from Nasa's collision with the asteroid Dimorphos and see if we can prevent dangerous asteroids from hitting Earth. Hera is set to reach Dimorphos, which is about seven million miles away, in December 2026. This mission follows Nasa's successful Double Asteroid ? Test (DART) project, which ? Dimorphos's course slightly. Dimorphos is a small moon, 160 meters wide, that orbits an asteroid called Didymos near ?. Nasa's collision with Dimorphos was a test to see if we can redirect asteroids that might threaten Earth. The Hera spacecraft will ? the impact crater made on Dimorphos, ? the asteroid's ? and mass using cube-shaped probes, and gather information about its physical characteristics. This knowledge will help us develop ways to intercept asteroids of different sizes and shapes in the future. Although the chances of a catastrophic asteroid impact like the one that wiped out the ? are low, smaller ? can still be dangerous. In 2013, a house-sized asteroid exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, causing a lot of damage and injuries. Scientists are working on systems to detect and divert such asteroids to reduce potential harm. The Hera mission is part of ongoing ? to improve our ability to spot and deal with asteroid risks, recognizing that stopping asteroids requires early detection and precise ?. Nasa's success in changing Dimorphos's path with the DART ? shows that redirecting asteroids is ?. However, it is still challenging to find and intercept asteroids before they get close to Earth. ? stress the need to create ? to spot and handle asteroid threats, underscoring the importance of continuous research and teamwork in planetary defense. By using advancements in space technology, researchers hope to strengthen our ability to protect Earth from potential asteroid impacts.

1. What do you think about the idea of launching a spacecraft to study an asteroid?
2. How would you feel if you knew there was a dangerous asteroid heading towards Earth?
3. Do you think it's important for scientists to study asteroids and try to prevent them from hitting Earth? Why or why not?
4. What is a spacecraft and what is its purpose in studying asteroids?
5. Do you like learning about space exploration and asteroids? Why or why not?
6. How do you think scientists can detect dangerous asteroids before they reach Earth?
7. What do you think would happen if a large asteroid hit Earth like the one that wiped out the dinosaurs?
8. Do you think the Hera mission will be successful in gathering important information about the asteroid Dimorphos? Why or why not?
9. How do you think the technology used in space missions can help protect Earth from potential asteroid impacts?
10. Why do you think it's important for countries like the European Space Agency and Nasa to work together on projects like studying asteroids?
11. What would you do if you found out there was a chance of an asteroid hitting Earth in the future?
12. How do you think scientists can develop ways to intercept asteroids of different sizes and shapes?
13. Do you think space exploration and studying asteroids is exciting? Why or why not?
14. Why do you think it's important for researchers to continuously improve our ability to spot and deal with asteroid risks?
15. How do you think advancements in space technology can benefit our planet's defense against potential asteroid impacts?

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