The “Nudge”
On September 26, of last year, an amazing thing happened. A space mission conducted by NASA, sent a spacecraft called DART, into space and successfully intercepted an asteroid called Dimorphos. Traveling at 4 miles per second and 6.8 million miles from Earth, DART slammed into the asteroid. The spacecraft was launched on November 24, 2021 to begin its journey to Dimorphos.
DART is an acronym for Double Asteroid Redirection Test.
Dimorphos is a small asteroid that orbits a larger asteroid called Didymos. Didymos was discovered, April 11, 1996 and Dimorphos’s existence was confirmed on November 23, 2003. Together they make up what is known as a binary asteroid system. Didymos is about 2500’ in diameter and Dimorphos is about 525’ in diameter.
The purpose of the Double Asteroid Redirection Test was to see if slamming into Dimorphos, and giving it a nudge, could change its orbit around Didymos.
The test was successful, Dimorphos’s obit was altered by the nudge of DART. Can you imagine, that little nudge altered its course enough to change the duration of its orbit by a little over 30 minutes.
Now, amazing as that is, Dimorphos and Didymos were there since the Creation, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth.” Genesis 1:1, and He gave them names, “He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names.” Psalm 147:4. God placed them where He wanted them, in the organized chaos of what is known as outer space, and I believe His purpose for Dimorphos and Didymos was exactly what happened; to allow NASA to be able to nudge Dimorphos, the smaller one, so it would change the path it was on.
Like Dimorphos, we sometimes need a nudge to change the paths we are on. “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God! Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10.
My Prayer – Dear God, like the stars in the heavens, You have planned the course for our lives and the path we should follow. You “restore our souls and lead us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3. When we need it, we ask You to give us a nudge, change our course and keep us on Your path. For You are the “Way, the Truth and the Life”. John 14:6. Amen!
Jim Kerner