Research
A nuclear blast could save Earth from an asteroid, but there's a catch
The Brief
- Research suggests a nuclear explosion could help deflect a dangerous asteroid, but the outcome depends on which side is hit.
- Scientists found that an asteroid's irregular shape can strongly affect how it responds to the X-ray blast.
- Hitting the wrong side could decide between success and failure of the deflection.
Why it matters
Asteroid deflection planning depends on accurate models of how irregular bodies respond to energy deposition, which matters for planetary defense research.
- #asteroid deflection
- #planetary defense
- #nuclear explosion
- #asteroid shape
- #x-ray
A nuclear explosion might save Earth from a deadly asteroid, but new research suggests that hitting the wrong side could make the difference between success and disaster. Scientists found that an asteroid's irregular shape can dramatically affect how it responds to an X-ray…
Timeline
ScienceDaily reported the research on nuclear blast asteroid deflection
Space & Time News -- ScienceDaily
A nuclear blast could save Earth from an asteroid, but there's a catch