Every year, approximately 1,500 near-Earth objects (NEOs) turn up in the surrounding outer space, at varying distances, from our planet.
Some of these asteroids pass by Earth multiple times on long orbits. So far, though, NEOs have not made any devastating impact on Earth since the time the dinosaurs, which are believed to have been affected by such devastation, went extinct.
In case an asteroid with a width of 200 meters (656 feet) strikes the planet, however, Russian scientists believe the best course of action is to destroy the NEO by annihilating it with a nuclear bomb.
Calculating The Destruction
One such asteroid, called 99942 Apophis, has been a cause of concern among scientists for a while now because it is estimated it could come "dangerously close" to Earth in 2036.
Now, researchers from Tomsk State University in Siberia have used a supercomputer to conduct a series of calculations to determine how to blast the 99942 Apophis with a nuclear weapon—in case it does turn up.
Here's the catch: the explosion should not cause radioactive fragments to fall into Earth.
Through the university's SKIF Cyberia supercomputer, researchers have found that a powerful warhead that can yield 1 megaton, or the power of about 66 Hiroshima bombs, would be potent enough to obliterate the asteroid.
What's more, it would reduce the object to liquid and gas droplets, leaving only a few small solid fragments that are no more than 10 meters (32 feet) in diameter.
Preventing Nuclear Radiation From Affecting The Earth
Tatiana Galushina, an expert in astrometry, said previous preventative measures proposed to destroy the asteroid involved targeting the object as it approached our planet.
"But this could lead to catastrophic consequences: a fall to Earth of the majority of the highly radioactive fragments," said Galushina.
So the team concluded that it is wisest to destroy the asteroid in a pre-emptive strike, instead of waiting until it was hurtling toward our home planet. Doing so would reduce the possibility of its fragments impacting Earth.
If the warhead—in this case, a missile—struck behind the asteroid, almost all of the object's pieces after the destruction would fly forward.
Galushina said that, for 10 years after this hypothetical explosion, an insignificant number of fragments would fall to Earth.
Their radioactive levels during this period would, however, decrease, and after several years, the fragments would no longer pose a threat. Instead of suffering from a mass destruction, Earth would be saved.
Still, one member of Russia's scientific community is not sold on the idea.
Boris Shustov, Director of the Russian Institue of Astronomy, said nuking asteroids would be like "using a steam-hammer to crack a nut."
Nuking Asteroids Is Illegal - But There Is Always An Exception, Scientists Say
Using nuclear weapons in space is against the terms of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. However, Galushina believes that, in case of a "real threat to humankind," an exception to the rule should be made.
The European Commission, for its part, has funded other Russian scientists to develop plans that would involve sending a warhead to nuke an asteroid. The program is aptly called NEOShield.
Just like Galushina, the Commission also believes governments may opt for the use of nuclear-tipped missiles in deep space if Earth is in imminent danger.
"If the asteroid threat becomes a matter of serious damage or even the very existence of life on earth, that ban would naturally be lifted," the group said.
Tech Times has also reported that a team led by Sabit Saitgarayev of the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau is planning to convert intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) into projectiles that can destroy NEOs.
It remains to be seen whether the ICBM project will be completed, but it has already been jumpstarted.
Photo: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | Flickr
