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Question
In a hypothetical problem, it is calculated that an asteroid 15 km in diameter will hit the Earth in 5 years time. What should be done ?
Hi Jose,
Well, hypothetically, there are two things that can be attempted....give it a little hypothetical nuclear bomb.... "nudge" as soon as practicable...(change it's orbit, a very tiny change is all that is required with a lag time of 5 years...and the earlier, the better).
OR two...hypothetically, blast it to smithereens (millions of little pieces and vaporize most of it) with a direct and big hypothetical...all out nuclear attack using our 100 megaton hydrogen bombs. Those are the only two hypothetical solutions to your hypothetical problem.
Fortunately in real life, that ain't gonna happen, as we are currently tracking all Earth-crossing asteroids; see bottom of page
at
http://www.spaceweather.com
and the program of tracking down all of them 1 Km and greater, will be completed in about another 11 years. (By 2020). The odds on a 15 Km asteroid strike is something like once every 50 million years,or so.
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA
FOLLOW UP:
And don't think for a minute that we couldn't do it. Remember the
Deep Impact mission to Comet Tempel I back in July 2005 when we hit
a 10 Km comet nucleus with a large copper bullet? See
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/deepimpact/main/index.html
Tom
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Answers by Expert:
Tom Whiting
Expertise
Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years. Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions. No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.
Experience
Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.
Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.
Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).
Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions; Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).
Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.
Education/Credentials
BS Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA
Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.
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