2006-08-11 08:48:54 · 13 answers · asked by christine w 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Not yet. There are some people working on some ideas, but they are out in the future. Don't worry about an asteroid destroying the earth, worry about something else like global warming. If we stay on this trend line, a big asteroid strike might actually help us out by cooling us off a little.
2006-08-11 08:56:41 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Knowitall 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not unless we know several years in advance - nuking it at the last minute might just make lots of little asteroids which would hit all over the world, with the added bonus of being highly radioactive.
If someone invented a device which could change the course of the asteroid, even by a few inches every day, if we knew about it long enough in advance it would miss the Earth. The trouble is that there are SERIOUSLY few professional people (about 20 or so) who actually look for asteroids - mostly because they're boring and difficult to find and predict the course of, so the likelihood we'd spot one with our name on it is small.
2006-08-11 08:58:58 · answer #2 · answered by Mordent 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mathematically, it is very unlikely. Consider that it would be approaching at incredible speed and would be accelerating continuously. It approach vector would be so large that it would take a force greater than the launch rockets of the space shuttle just to deviate it from it's course by mere centimeters.
That means that we would have to be aware of it's approach early enough to send some form of booster (or weapon) out to intercept it, and deviate it early enough that the tiny amount of trajectory change that we could inflict upon it would be great enough to cause it to miss.
Considering the distances nessecary and that it could be approaching from any angle, it would be kind of like finding a needle in a haystack..the size of Texas..in twenty seconds.
2006-08-11 09:08:03 · answer #3 · answered by No Drama 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The governement is working on a defense system, but it is several years out. It uses genetic engineering to develop mutant superheroes who can fly into space and destroy the asteroid for us normal humans.
2006-08-11 09:02:59 · answer #4 · answered by driftwood6 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It depends on the size of the asteroid and how much forewarning we had.
There is technology already in place that would allow us to make trajectory changes in the asteroid.
2006-08-11 08:59:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, we can't. And I doubt very strongly that the political system that defended New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina will ever be able to develop and implement a defense system.
I fear that when it hits we shall all be pink and purple and blue and green and yellow and white and black and red splat. No waiting.
2006-08-11 18:11:55 · answer #6 · answered by aviophage 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Realistically..no
2006-08-11 08:52:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's the really speedy FAST FAST smaller asteroids that could bitchslap us at any moment that scares me more.
2006-08-11 09:26:17 · answer #8 · answered by sparkloom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I honestly don't think so...unlike the movies "Deep Impact" and "Armageddon"...reality is not science fiction.
2006-08-11 08:57:05 · answer #9 · answered by ???*.Catarina.*??? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as of now no but may be in the future.
2006-08-12 04:14:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋