It said that setting of a nuclear bomb could INCREASE the chances of it hitting earth... I was just wondering how...
2007-02-21 11:18:16 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Asteroid 99942 Apophis is the asteroid in question and the date of a possible impact is April 13 2036,
However the odds are 1 in 45000 that there will be an impact. So the case to deflect or destroy it may not be a very strong one,
There will be a close approach in 2013 and there are plans to take measurements by radar at that time, which would enable the orbit to be calculated with more precision, up to 2070.
There are also plans to put a tracking device on the asteroid, a spy in the cab as it were.
So the need for a deflection or destruction plan has yet to be established.
With odds like those, I can meantime sleep easily in my bed at night, though I realise others may have a lower apprehension threshold than I do.
2007-02-21 11:54:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't know which article you're referring to and not heard about a predicted asteroid impact.
If an asteroid were heading towwards earth the chances are that it would miss - like so many have done in the past.
If it were feasible to plant a nuclear device on an asteroid or even aim one at it then the detonation could fragment the asteroid and with lots of smaller asteroids heading towards us the chances of an impact would be greater.
One theory being considered for such an eventuality is to detonate a nuclear device close to an asteroid - not enough to fragment it but enough to knock it off course.
2007-02-21 19:23:52 · answer #2 · answered by Trevor 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could possibly alter its orbit so that the odds of it hitting the earth increase somewhat. However, even a nuclear bomb would probably only alter the orbit of an asteroid that large very slightly.
2007-02-21 19:44:13 · answer #3 · answered by Tikimaskedman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This has been on the Discover Channel too. I think it would increase do to a shift in the magnetic field. I think our scientists will think of something before it even comes close to earth.
2007-02-21 20:08:11 · answer #4 · answered by I Know, I Know 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because the odds of it hitting us are only 1 in 45,000. If they messed up, they could actually send it the wrong way and make it more likely to hit us. Can you imgaine if they reduced the odds to just 1 in 38,000???? Oh, the horror!!!
2007-02-21 19:37:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
magnetic pulses from the ignition of the device, may alter the earths magnetic field, making a much stronger pull
2007-02-21 19:22:26 · answer #6 · answered by duster 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
www.spaceweather.com
There are 843 asteroids as of today. Which one is suppose to hit us?
2007-02-21 19:29:29 · answer #7 · answered by kana121569 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋