2006-07-02 14:57:04 · 9 answers · asked by louis f 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
I would think any single impact with enough energy to actually knock the Moon all the way out of orbit would instead smash the Moon to bits.
2006-07-02 15:15:57 · answer #1 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
About the same size of the moon, but should have enough momentum (i.e greater than the tangential velocity of the moon in its orbit); Think of it like a billiards ball when you hit one ball the whole momentum gets transferred to the other ball and other one moves and the one you hit with will stay there. This might really happen, but asteroid might not necessarily come to rest( because of its unusual shape)
2006-07-02 15:06:04 · answer #2 · answered by phankum_in 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whatever size asteroid does that it will mean the end of life on Earth. As a result of changes in the orbital parameters of Earth, we will enter a phase of runaway greenhouse effect or accelerated and unstoppable global warming followed thousands of years later by global cooling. Extreme changes in temperature will kill all complex life. We may be reduced to extremophillic bacteria again.
2006-07-02 15:39:15 · answer #3 · answered by jorge f 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
about 1 mile wide asteroid would be able to knock the moon
out of orbit.
2006-07-02 15:05:50 · answer #4 · answered by Vagabond5879 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
380km - diameter asteroid or greater would knock the moon out of orbit.
2006-07-02 15:04:23 · answer #5 · answered by csdrevenice 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same size as the moon itself
2006-07-02 15:00:37 · answer #6 · answered by TheWisemanofourschool 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is such a weird question. Who even thinks about those things?? Get some friends and go shopping or see a funny movie, I think that will help you quit thinking about these off the wall questions. good luck and hope this doesn't happen often.
2006-07-02 15:02:43 · answer #7 · answered by barefootmodel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A VERY large one
2006-07-08 06:22:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you planning something we should be worried about?
2006-07-07 22:36:49 · answer #9 · answered by samsyn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋