American researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory simulated the consequences of a nuclear attack on an asteroid dangerous to Earth. They concluded that this method could be effective in protecting the planet against threats from space. The article was published in the scientific journal magazine Planetary Science Journal (TPSJ).
A nuclear explosion in space lacks some damaging effects compared to a similar event on Earth because the release of energy in airless space does not create a shock wave.
Simulations showed that activating a nuclear device would produce high-energy X-rays that would vaporize most material in its path.
Physicists have concluded that nuclear bombardment of an asteroid may be more effective than deflecting it due to the kinetic effect, that is, hitting a space rock with a special spacecraft. A similar method had previously been tested in practice using the DART probe, which changed the orbit of the Dimorph asteroid.
“We will detonate a nuclear device and either deflect the asteroid, keeping it intact but providing a controlled push from Earth, or destroy the asteroid and break it into small fast-moving pieces that will not reach the planet.” study author, physicist Mary Berkey.
Previous scientists warnedStarlink satellites could prevent an asteroid flying towards Earth from being detected in time.