LinuxAnswers - the LQ Linux tutorial section.
User Name







Rate this Entry

On killing Apophis...



There have been several studies about how to stop asteroids and comets, and they found that the one thing you DON'T want to do is blow it up. That will turn it into a bunch of smaller pieces that could potentially do even more damage. They did talk about using gravity to deflect asteroids and comets, but what if it causes the asteroid to come back later and strike? This is serious matter.

My fear is that even Earth's own gravity could nudge the asteroid on a different path, one that could turn its second pass into a collision. What if such did happen, and the asteroid collided with our oceans? Apophis is nowhere near as large as the one that killed the dinosaurs, but it is three times larger than the Tungutska meteorite that flattened millions of trees in Siberia in 1908. It is capable, if it collides with Earth, to cause a tsunami capable of circumspreading the globe and wiping out all of Earth's coastlines, perhaps to 300 miles inland and up millions of rivers and streams, turning entire plains, coastlines, low hills and valleys into flood zones.

This is my idea: If I had a say in how these methods were carried out, I would make an extremely large hydrogen bomb (something like a Tsar Bomba-type bomb that fits perfectly on a Saturn V-type rocket) and launch it into space. But I wouldn't detonate it right on top of the asteroid. I would do so about 50 miles away, but in the asteroid's path.

By the time the asteroid comes in contact with the bomb, the bomb is already a mushroom cloud. The heat (close to 100 Million F) will immediately vaporize the asteroid, turning it into a bunch of volcanic ash when the rock vapor cools. The ash, unlike the rock, will burn up when it even comes in contact with Earth's atmosphere. This means that we have just prevented a possible impact (or for that matter, hundreds of possible impacts).

How do you fellow forumites think of this idea of incinerating Apophis with a mushroom cloud? What is your opinion? Do you like the idea of the incineration of Apophis with a nuke? Or, do you think that the nuclear fallout from the bomb will cause even more damage to Earth? Please explain your answers.
Posted in Uncategorized
Views 530 Comments 1
« Prev     Main     Next »
Total Comments 1


  1. Old Comment
    The human race has its pants down.
    Posted 06-12-2010 at 10:24 PM by Mr-Bisquit Mr-Bisquit is offline



Main Menu
Main Menu
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions @linuxquestions
Facebook: linuxquestions Google+: linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration