Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have demonstrated how a nuclear explosion could vaporize an asteroid, potentially saving Earth from a catastrophic impact. The experiment showed that the immense pulse of radiation from the blast would heat the asteroid's surface to tens of thousands of degrees, creating a rapidly expanding ball of gas capable of nudging the asteroid off course.
Scientists, as well as Hollywood movie producers, have long looked to nuclear bombs as a promising form of defence should a massive asteroid appear without warning on a collision course with Earth.
The event is so violent that it heats the surface to tens of thousands of degrees, producing a rapidly expanding ball of gas capable of nudging the asteroid off course. Do the sums correctly and the shunt should be sufficient to put doomsday on hold. Given the existential nature of the threat, researchers are exploring strategies to shield Earth from massive impacts. In 2022, Nasa’s Dart probe intentionally. The mission showed that a kinetic impact could protect Earth, but the nudge needed to be given years before impending impact.
Asteroid Nuclear Blast Planetary Defense Sandia National Laboratories Earth Impact
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