Vapourising an asteroid?- Averting Armageddon- BBC Documentary

A scientist reveals a revolutionary idea to help deflect potentially killer asteroids away from Earth. Interestng video from BBC science show 'Averting Armageddon'.

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• Armageddon
• Asteroid
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[doubleparadiddle]

worthless for a target with random rotations

[maidenslayer]

in 2029 the asteroid 99942Apophis will pass a 'keyhole' in space near the earth which could altar it's course and then lead it to collide with the Earth in the year 2036. Scientists think a collision is unlikely but possible.

[geonerd]

It's probably much quicker and easier to set off a few small nukes near the asteroid. The blast of hard radiation will do the same thing - vaporize the surface and create rocket thrust.

[kittdaviss12321]

@PleaseCallMeV me make glass we can make it that big

[xinecallaw]

@MichaelSLify The idea is to have a 'solar collector' device sent out to the asteroid we want to move and have it orbit it and focus sunlight. Problems with this is first, it would take years to move it this way. The second, is if the rotational spin of the asteroid is to fast you will not be able to do any damage.

[MichaelSLify]

That wont work for the simple reason. To get a beam of light (even from earth) to be directed at an objcets (such as a comet). The Magnifienglass would have to be moved and re;shaped continuelsy. Unless you can controll such a powerful laser from earth or a flying objects like hubble. This is useless. It's starwars for 2200.

[ste1nunn]

he just invented the death ray, were so smart that were stupid

[jlebesis]

Love this, now someone is thinking...

[cerverg]

@creston918 The jet could could be pointed to any direction without even moving the "magnifying glass" it's not a big deal. The greatness of this idea is it can be used unlimited times without any recharging because it's powered by sun and it's quite a powerful supplier. A magnifying glass 60 feet in diameter could do the job (in space you get more sun light because there's no reflection by the atmosphere). The best feature: it works for comets where the nukes simply do not....

[granddad2002]

If you can build a 'Solar collector' to do this proposed mission...you can develop a laser that can do it better? Personally...I think a nuclear warhead would be a useful 'clearing' tool? That 'Outer Space TreatyTest ban' could be humankinds suicide note when this day comes to pass. Asteroids are a liability over the next million years... but we could have one show up on the doorstep in the next 50.

[residentevil568]

@CorporalChris just make sure no one lights a match XD