Can nuclear explosions deflect asteroids?

Yes, new research suggests that a precisely timed nuclear explosion could nudge an asteroid off its collision course without shattering it.

What did scientists discover about asteroid material?

Scientists found that metal-rich asteroid material unexpectedly strengthens under the force of a nuclear impact, increasing its yield strength.

Why is nuclear deflection important for planetary defense?

Nuclear deflection could be a viable option for large asteroids or threats with short warning times, where other methods might not be feasible.

Home / Science / Hollywood Was Right: Asteroid Nuke Deflection Possible

Hollywood Was Right: Asteroid Nuke Deflection Possible

4 Feb

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Summary

New simulation suggests nuking asteroids is viable for defense.
Asteroid material surprisingly strengthens under nuclear impact.
Nuclear deflection offers hope for large threats with short warning.

Hollywood Was Right: Asteroid Nuke Deflection Possible

Hollywood's 1998 film 'Armageddon' may have been scientifically inaccurate in many aspects, but it got one crucial detail right: the potential to use nuclear technology to deflect an asteroid. New research, utilizing CERN's Super Proton Synchrotron, subjected a meteorite fragment to intense proton bursts simulating a nuclear explosion.

The study, a collaboration with the Outer Solar System Company (OuSoCo), revealed that metal-rich asteroid material surprisingly strengthened by a factor of 2.5 under simulated nuclear impact, rather than breaking apart. This resilience means a precisely timed nuclear detonation could nudge an asteroid off its Earth-bound trajectory without creating dangerous shrapnel.

This finding is significant for planetary defense, offering a potential solution for large asteroids or threats with limited warning. While NASA and ESA are also developing kinetic impactor methods, nuclear deflection is considered by experts as a critical option for scenarios where early detection is not possible.