How would you use a nuclear device to prevent an asteroid from hitting Earth?

If the object is very large but is still a loosely-held-together rubble pile, a solution is to detonate one or a series of nuclear explosive devices alongside the asteroid, at a 20-meter (66 ft) or greater stand-off height above its surface, so as not to fracture the potentially loosely-held-together object.

What is the best way to stop an asteroid?

This could be done by impacting it with a non-destructive projectile, simply tugging the asteroid into a different orbit with a nearby high-mass spacecraft, ablating the asteroid’s surface with a high-power laser (or a nearby nuclear explosion), or by placing small rockets on the asteroid’s surface.

How are scientists tracking the paths of asteroids?

Using radar tracking data, NEO observers can more precisely determine the orbital path of an asteroid and predict that path out years into the future. Observing an asteroid for less than an hour with radar will provide a more precise determination of the orbit than months of observations from an optical telescope.

How do we avoid a large asteroid from entering the Earth explain your answer?

Techniques include the slow gravity tractor (spacecraft gravity pulls the asteroid), to the mid-range kinetic impactor (slam one or more spacecraft into the asteroid), to developing techniques such as laser ablation (vaporizing rock to create jets that push the asteroid), to last resort shorter warning nuclear options …

What do scientists learn from missions to asteroids?

By studying them, we may learn about how life arose on our own planet. “There are conditions that may have been conducive to life in the past,” Raymond said. Plus, scientists think asteroids that landed on Earth long ago may have deposited some of the building blocks that helped start life here.

Can We deflect an asteroid with nuclear weapons?

In its report, NASA outlined several options, a few of which involved using nuclear explosives to deflect the asteroid away from Earth. The force from the explosions would (hopefully) provide enough momentum to nudge the asteroid in a different direction, preventing disaster.

Is it possible to defend Earth against a large asteroid?

The need to defend against a large asteroid is slim, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility. NASA scientists estimate that an object larger than 400 meters (1,312 feet) in diameter could collide with Earth about once every 160,000 years [source: Graham ].

How big of an asteroid can be destroyed by a bomb?

The asteroids that would be really worrisome — those larger than 1,312 feet (400 meters) — wouldn’t be easily wiped out by such a bomb. Sure, great hunks of one might break off, but not enough to neutralize the danger.

What is an extinction class asteroid?

An asteroid larger than 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) in diameter is considered “extinction class,” or powerful enough to destroy life on Earth if it collides with our hapless planet [source: NASA ].