An asteroid’s shape influences where a nuclear blast must be aimed to deflect it
Image: Phys.org
ad slot · in-content video 16:9
Coverage
More coverage
- If a dangerous asteroid were headed toward Earth, one defense could be a nuclear detonation to blast one side with X-rays and nudge it off course. But new simulations suggest that for a lumpy, irregular asteroid, exactly where those X-rays hit could make a huge difference.