A European Space Agency (ESA) space probe named Hera has captured unprecedented images of Mars’ small, mysterious moon Deimos. Hera was launched on October 7, 2024, and is on a mission to gather data about the Dimorphos asteroid, which was altered by human action in 2022.
During its flyby of Mars, Hera used three imaging instruments to capture high-resolution images of Deimos, which is approximately 15,000 miles from Mars. The spacecraft got as close as 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) to the moon and also analyzed its mineral composition and surface temperatures.
These findings will aid scientists in learning more about Deimos, a body that has sparked speculation over whether it’s an asteroid or a natural satellite. The ESA’s Mars Express mission, which has been orbiting Mars for over 20 years, contributed observations of Deimos as well.
The data from Hera’s encounter with Deimos will help guide operational planning for the ESA and NASA’s future mission to explore Martian moons in 2026. This joint mission aims to collect detailed measurements of Mars’ two moons and land on Phobos, the larger lunar body, to retrieve a sample for analysis.
Hera also adjusted its trajectory during the flyby, which shortened its travel time to Dimorphos. The spacecraft is expected to reach the asteroid in December 2026.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mars-deimos-moon-images-space-probe-hera