Jakarta –
Danger asteroid hit Earth Scientists continue to think about the anticipation. Most recently, a study in the United States carried out a simulation of the use of nuclear bombs to defend Earth from the impact of an asteroid disaster.
Even though it sounds like a strategy from a science fiction film, the use of nuclear power has been proposed as a solution to protect our planet if an asteroid or large and potentially dangerous near-Earth object is discovered.
This event is rare and according to NASA, there are currently no observed celestial bodies that pose a significant risk of hitting Earth. However, it does not rule out the possibility of these impacts occurring in the future, especially because there are still some that are not detected.
The impact of a large asteroid impact can cause devastation on a regional to global scale, depending on the amount of energy released. However, if there is sufficient warning time, modern technology can be used to prevent disaster.
One strategy is to detonate a nuke to deflect the asteroid when it is millions of kilometers away so that it deviates from its path and does not hit Earth. It can also be used to disrupt or break up asteroids into smaller, less dangerous fragments.
These strategies have never been tested in real life, meaning researchers have to rely on computer models to study their potential effectiveness. So far, this simulation has not been carried out seriously.
Well, researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California have developed a new modeling tool to assess the potential use of nuclear devices against asteroids, which has been described in research published in the journal Planetary Science.
“If an asteroid approaches, decision makers will need accurate information about what options are available to them immediately,” physicist Mary Burkey, who led the research, told Newsweek, Friday (5/1/2023).
For this reason, a faster and more versatile nuclear simulation method is needed, including what the impact will be. Using the new model described in the paper, a scenario involving a nuclear impact on an asteroid can be run in less than a day with far fewer computer resources when a quick answer is needed.
“Including as many realistic details as possible is critical to ensuring our mission effectiveness estimates are accurate. So, when a planetary defense emergency arrives, we can provide fast and reliable information to decision makers,” he added.
In urgent situations, as quoted detikINET from Newsweek, information from this simulation can help prevent asteroid impacts, protect critical infrastructure and save as many lives as possible.
Watch the video “Scientists in England Start Examining Samples of the Asteroid Bennu”
(fyk/fay)
2024-01-05 11:02:40
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