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The only thing that destroys asteroids (until now) has been collisions with other objects; other asteroids, the Moon, the Earth, other planets or the Sun. (There have been asteroids that have fallen into the Sun!) When an asteroid collides with another asteroid, it doesn't actually destroy either asteroid; it just breaks both of them into smaller pieces.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoIt is possible in theory, but one has to wonder why.
Asteroids hit Earth every year, most, if not all disintegrate in the atmosphere. Only a few reach the surface.
If it's large enough and on a collision with Earth or the Moon or another planet?
What are the objectives: To alter the course or to obliterate it.
To attempt to obliterate an asteroid is futile, you'd just end up with billions of smaller asteroids and meteoroids spreading all over the place like a shotgun blast, In all essence, you could actually send a piece of it somewhere, where it was not destined to go in the first place. Just like a large dog, best to leave it where it is.
Heading for Earth: Part of the NEO (Near Earth Object) surveillance is to detect objects that "could" impact with the Earth. Luckily, no objects have been found "so far" - the only object on the "watch list" is 99942 Apophis which was destined to impact Earth in 2009 but didn't (Hence how this is now being written). It's now predicted to impact in 2036. Phew.
Trying to destroy an asteroid is not a simple fact. One can't just send Bruce Willis up with a few nuclear bombs, and hope for the best - or worst. Hollywood would make us believe that it would happen, but what truth has come out of Hollywood?
We can't just send up a couple of nuclear missiles. 1) We don't have a rocket with sufficient payload to deliver such a weapon. 2) It wouldn't do any good, a nuclear bomb has to have something to "push" against to deliver the "force". In space there is nothing to push against. The only way to use nuclear weapons is to imbed them into the asteroid - call up Bruce Willis. See above.
The preferred option is to "nudge" the asteroid away from it's predetermined path. Using rockets like large dumpster trucks, it's possible, given enough time and resources, to alter the trajectory of the asteroid away from Earth.
However, this posses additional problems. By altering the trajectory, the asteroid may miss Earth, this time, but might cause a cacophony of additional problems. It may swing by Jupiter dislodging more asteroids from the Asteroid Belt or move into a more deadly orbit that cannot be altered.
At the moment we do not have the resources or the equipment for any of these options.
If an asteroid is detected on a collision course with Earth tomorrow, we have no alternative but to put our heads between our legs and ...........
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What is orpheus theory?
The theory of an asteroid named Orpheus will hit Earth and destroy civilization in the future years. The asteroid is predicted to hit Mexico. Don't be afraid because it may or may not happen :)
Where is mercury located at on the asteroid belt?
Mercury is not a part of the asteroid belt. The asteroid belt is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Mercury is far closer to the sun.
How big or small can an asteroid be?
No. An asteroid can be anything from 10 metres to 487km as in the case of Ceres the largest asteroid.
What country did the 2008 asteroid hit in Canada?
no it was not an asteroid that hit the earth, it was kevins big mouth
What is the smallest asteroid?
1991 BA is the closest and smallest asteroid yet observed outside the Earth's atmosphere. Reference.
Can an asteroid destroy the earth?
No, an asteroid cannot destroy earth, but a large enough asteroid can have devastating effects on the life on Earth
Could a comet or asteroid or meteorite destroy the Earth?
Yes they all could destroy Earth depending how big it is, how big the impact is when it hits, and where it hits,but its possible. Hope this helps.
Will the moon be destroy if an asteroid hit it?
No. The moon is large enough that even a collision with the solar system's largest asteroid would not destroy it.
How easy is it to destroy an astroyd?
At the moment man does not have the technology to destroy and asteroid.
Is it possible the asteroid that destroyed the dinosaurs has any connection with the existence of humans?
An asteroid did NOT destroy the dinosaurs. A flood did. Read the Bible. :) The flood was the one who killed the dinosaurs, but Noah took small dinosaurs (e.g lizards, crocodiles).
If an asteroid hits the earth will the earth be destroyed?
No, but there would be a lot of destruction of life. It would only destroy the Earth if it is ENORMOUS, but I suppose it's possible.
What movie did the people destroy an asteroid?
Armageddon was the movie Ben Affleck was in it.
What size asteroid can destroy a satellite?
One the size of a grain of sand.
What happens when an asteroid collides with a planet?
It would maybe explode it depends on how big the asteroid is or how affective it can be all it mattters is that it will destroy anything in its path.
How do you deal with an asteroid?
You don't. If a large enough asteroid is going to hit us that will destroy life on earth there is nothing that can be done. Hollywood story's to the contrary.
What happened when an asteroid hits the Earth?
depending on the size it could destroy the planet or impact in the water and not do much. It all depends on the size of said asteroid!
Is a collision possible between the earth and an asteroid?
Yes, if the asteroid is captured by the Earth's gravitational pull.
