New Study Reveals Nuclear X-ray Method Could Deflect Asteroids Heading Toward Earth

Scientists in Albuquerque, New Mexico, propose an innovative technique to redirect potentially hazardous asteroids. By detonating a nuclear warhead at a safe distance—over a mile from the asteroid’s surface—and using the resulting X-rays, researchers believe it’s possible to alter the object’s trajectory significantly.

Rethinking Asteroid Deflection Strategies

Traditional methods depicted in films like “Armageddon” and “Deep Impact” involve destroying an asteroid by detonating a nuclear device on its surface. However, experts argue this approach may create more problems than it solves. Instead of one large object heading toward Earth, it would lead to multiple fragments, akin to a shotgun blast, increasing the risk of catastrophic impacts.

Shifting Paradigms in Planetary Defense

As previously highlighted in a report by the National Academy of Sciences, planetary defense has now become a national priority. Recent findings from NASA’s ongoing sky survey confirm that the threat posed by asteroids is genuine and warrants serious attention.

The Need for Vigilance

According to the survey, around 25,000 celestial objects could inflict serious damage upon Earth, but only about one-third have been detected and monitored. Many of these space rocks remain hidden in the sun’s glare, posing significant challenges for tracking.

The Reality of Asteroid Threats

In 2013, Russia experienced a chaotic event when a small asteroid exploded in the atmosphere, while a larger asteroid is believed to have contributed to the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Physicist Nathan Moore from Sandia National Laboratories emphasized the importance of preparedness. He stated, “To most people, the danger from asteroids seems remote. But our planet is hit by BB-sized asteroids every day. We call them shooting stars. We cannot afford to wait for a large asteroid to approach and then scramble for the right deflection method.”

Innovative Experiments with X-ray Scissors

Moore’s team has utilized Sandia’s Z machine, the world’s most powerful pulsed-power device, to conduct experiments simulating asteroid deflection. These experiments involve creating synthetic asteroids and subjecting them to explosive forces to analyze potential deflection methods.

Simulating Space Conditions

While located on Earth, these experiments are designed to minimize gravitational effects, thereby achieving more realistic simulations of an asteroid in space. They use a technique known as X-ray scissors, which mitigates the impact of friction and gravity for short periods.

This innovative method successfully mimics the redirection of a free-floating asteroid when exposed to a series of nuclear-level explosions. Although conducted in a controlled environment, the findings can be extrapolated to real-world scenarios.

Leveraging Laboratory Insights

Moore explained his approach: “I started working through the logic of how I could deflect a miniature asteroid in a laboratory similar to conditions in outer space. A key fact is that asteroids floating in space are free and unbound. However, in our lab, gravity holds everything in place, complicating the simulation.”

To overcome this challenge, the experiments involved suspending a mock asteroid, consisting of silica and weighing a tenth of a gram, in a vacuum. The silica sample remained free-floating after the vaporization of a supporting foil when the Z machine was activated.

Fine-Tuning the Redirection Process

Moore noted the significance of recalibrating the force applied to redirect the asteroid without fragmenting it into deadly pieces. This approach is crucial for real intercept scenarios, as evidenced by NASA’s recent DART experiment.

Just days ago, NASA recorded the movement of a “potentially hazardous” asteroid named 2024 ON, measuring 350 meters long and 180 meters wide—comparable to a stadium. Although this asteroid is classified as hazardous, NASA has confirmed there is no risk of it striking Earth.

Final Insights on Asteroid Monitoring

The asteroid 2024 ON was 621,000 miles away, which is considered relatively close by astronomical standards. Davide Farnocchia, a navigation engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, stressed that encounters with asteroids of this size occur roughly every five to ten years.

Despite its classification, Farnocchia assured that there is no immediate concern, as an object must pass within a couple of hundred miles to pose a threat. Last week, five asteroids passed Earth, with only 2024 ON nearing close proximity. The remaining four were millions of miles away, indicating that vigilance in tracking these celestial bodies remains vital.

Fox News Digital’s Andrea Vacchiano contributed to this report.