Researchers have harnessed the power of X-rays from a nuclear explosion to vaporize the surface of an asteroid
Asteroid impacts with Earth are surprisingly common. NASA estimates that 48.5 tons of meteoric material enters our atmosphere every day. Most of it burns up and creates shooting stars. Although devastating asteroid impacts are rare in Earth’s history, humanity learned a crucial lesson from the cataclysmic event 66 million years ago. The asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs was about six miles wide, but objects much smaller than that still pose a significant threat. Given the potential for catastrophic asteroid impacts, scientists are racing to develop innovative solutions to protect our planet.
In New Mexico, scientists are investigating a futuristic solution to defend Earth from asteroid threats: harnessing X-rays from nuclear explosions, Guardian reported. Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque have successfully demonstrated a revolutionary method of deflecting incoming asteroids using nuclear explosions. In the experiment, researchers used the power of X-rays from a nuclear explosion to vaporize the surface of a nearby asteroid.
The process works by unleashing an immense pulse of radiation, heating the asteroid’s surface to tens of thousands of degrees. This creates a rapidly expanding ball of gas that can push the asteroid off its catastrophic course. By accurately calculating the impact of the explosion, scientists believe this technique could effectively push threatening asteroids away from Earth, potentially saving humanity from destruction.
“The primary mechanism involves using X-rays to rapidly heat the target surface, causing it to vaporize and expand into the adjacent vacuum. The expanding gas pushes against the asteroid, transferring its momentum (in the opposite direction),” wrote the authors of the study published Monday in the journal Nature Physics.
Scientists noted that the nuclear option is for larger asteroids, especially when time is short. Researchers believe this strategy can effectively deflect asteroids up to 2.5 miles wide, although this is not a strict limit.
“If we have enough warning time, we can certainly deflect larger asteroids,” said Dr. Nathan Moore, the study's lead author.
Mr. Moore and his team plan to conduct further experimental tests to refine the X-ray deflection technique, building on their initial success. Their goal is to improve the method’s effectiveness through additional laboratory experiments. Eventually, they envision a space-based demonstration, similar to NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission, to test the technique on a real asteroid.
