4 ms·
It doesn't necessarily need to be diverted entirely. Simply breaking it up into smaller components significantly reduces it's impact force. Smaller pieces burn
by SkyPuncher 3y ago
It doesn't necessarily need to be diverted entirely. Simply breaking it up into smaller components significantly reduces it's impact force.
Smaller pieces burn up more readily in the atmosphere and create smaller impacts (I believe exponentially smaller)
- HeyLaughingBoy 3y agoNow you're begging the question of how hard it is to break it up!
- thfuran 3y agoSignificantly harder than diverting it slightly.
- gremlinsinc 3y agosome of these asteroids we only have days warning. that's the scary part. To divert an asteroid you need to do it before it comes near so it has a long path to begin drifting in a new direction. ie it's only gonna nudge it slightly. Slightly adds up over many millions of miles, not so much when its a week out.