An asteroid on a collision course with Earth could potentially be redirected without the need for a spacecraft to physically touch it. Physicist Nathan Moore from Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque explains that using X-rays from a nuclear device is the most powerful method proposed for deflecting large or threatening asteroids, even those with short warning times of a year or less. The consensus among experts in planetary defense is that X-rays are the best option in such scenarios. These nuclear blasts would be strategically detonated at safe distances from our planet to alter the trajectory of incoming asteroids.
Two years ago, NASA made headlines by intentionally crashing a spacecraft into asteroid Dimorphos, successfully changing its orbit around a larger asteroid (SN: 9/26/22; SN: 10/11/22). This event marked a significant milestone for planetary defense efforts. However, this method is only effective for smaller asteroids with sufficient time to adjust their path. To further explore the potential of using X-rays for deflection, Moore and his team conducted experiments to assess their effectiveness.
2024-09-23 10:00:00
Originally published on www.sciencenews.org