Could we really use a nuclear bomb to deflect an asteroid and save Earth? Recent simulations suggest it might be a viable option.
Research indicates that asteroids can handle more stress than we once thought. Surprisingly, they may actually get stronger after being hit. This discovery is good news for planetary defense. When an asteroid is nuked, it likely won’t break apart into dangerous fragments, which would rain down on our planet.
A team of researchers, including physicists from the University of Oxford, studied how an iron asteroid responds to stress. They collaborated with the Outer Solar System Company (OuSoCo) to understand better how an asteroid’s structure changes under different conditions. Melanie Bochmann, co-founder of OuSoCo, noted that they can now see how the asteroid strengthens at a microscopic level.
Recent missions like DART, which successfully deflected an asteroid in 2022, show that we can redirect threats without destruction. Yet, hitting the right spot on an asteroid is tricky. If we miss, we might only delay disaster. The energy from a kinetic impactor can sometimes lead to unforeseen issues, like pieces breaking off.
The challenge is understanding how different asteroid materials behave under extreme conditions, which can help decide whether a kinetic impactor or a nuclear option is better. Current data on this behavior is limited and varies significantly across different models. Some estimates can differ by a shocking factor of seven.
This study marks the first real-time observation of a meteorite, showing how it adapts under stress without being destroyed. Gianluca Gregori, a physicist involved in the research, emphasized the importance of this technique.
Researchers used the Super Proton Synchrotron at CERN to bombard a sample from an iron meteorite. This provided crucial information about how the meteorite reacted—softening, flexing, and then hardening under stress. It also exhibited a unique quality: the harder it was hit, the more effectively it absorbed energy.
These findings help clarify why previous studies have shown discrepancies in how asteroids break apart in the atmosphere and how they respond to impact. The mechanical properties of these bodies change in real-time, suggesting that current models may not fully capture their behavior.
Moving forward, scientists aim to study more varied asteroid compositions. While they focused on a uniform iron-rich sample for this research, other types are likely to behave differently under similar stress.
If humanity ever needs to implement a nuclear deflection strategy, it won’t be like the movies. Instead of planting explosives, scientists are considering a standoff nuclear detonation to vaporize part of an asteroid and alter its path.
Karl-Georg Schlesinger from OuSoCo emphasizes the importance of having reliable data for such missions, as testing isn’t feasible beforehand. This study offers valuable insights, ensuring that if the time comes, we’ll be better prepared.
For more on this topic and related research, check out the study published in Nature Communications.
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