Science News
In a new simulation, astrophysicists in the US pitted a 1-megaton nuclear warhead against a 160-meter (525-foot) city-killer asteroid. “We suggest that disruption is highly likely for two of the three scenarios”. Read Full Article #AsteroidDefense #Pla…
🚀 New research explores using a 1-megaton nuclear warhead to deflect a 160-meter (525-foot) asteroid. Simulations suggest the X-ray radiation, not a shockwave, would vaporize the asteroid's surface, propelling material and altering its course.
💥 This method could shatter the asteroid by vaporizing surface material and sending a shockwave through the rock, causing it to fracture internally. Simulations indicate this could be effective even if the warhead isn't directly on the asteroid's surface.
🔬 In one simulation with the bomb 10 meters away, 98.2% of the asteroid material was damaged and 97% moved faster than its escape velocity. At 25 meters, 92.6% of the asteroid was fully damaged, showing that closer isn't always better for disruption.
🤔 The long-term fate of the disrupted asteroid remains unknown due to computational limitations, meaning fragments could still pose a threat or the asteroid might reassemble.
#AsteroidDefense #NuclearOption #PlanetaryScience
💥 This method could shatter the asteroid by vaporizing surface material and sending a shockwave through the rock, causing it to fracture internally. Simulations indicate this could be effective even if the warhead isn't directly on the asteroid's surface.
🔬 In one simulation with the bomb 10 meters away, 98.2% of the asteroid material was damaged and 97% moved faster than its escape velocity. At 25 meters, 92.6% of the asteroid was fully damaged, showing that closer isn't always better for disruption.
🤔 The long-term fate of the disrupted asteroid remains unknown due to computational limitations, meaning fragments could still pose a threat or the asteroid might reassemble.
#AsteroidDefense #NuclearOption #PlanetaryScience