Meteorite Impact

So do we have the capability and strategy to prevent a catastrophic meteorite impact yet? I don't really believe that drilling a hole and putting a nuke in it is an actual viable strategy.

No its not as all the debris is worse than one single meteor.

>>2
We're not trying to blow it up, we just want to alter the course. As long as the main body misses us, a little debris is is perfectly tolerable.

Deflecting objects is actually very easy with current technology. Theoretically, anyway. The problem is SEEING those objects before it is too late.

Last November, there was a Near Earth Object (NEO) 7 meters in diameter that passed us at a distance of about 2 Earth radii. We only noticed it 15 hours before it missed.

Now, granted, an object that small would not do much damage unless it was traveling very very fast. At the speed it was moving, it would likely have disintegrated in the upper atmosphere. And as the article points out, "on average, objects the size of 2009 VA pass this close about twice per year and impact Earth about once every 5 years."

But the point is that larger objects are not a whole lot easier to see... especially if we're not even looking for them. As it stands right now, we're only looking at very small sections of the sky, the places where we are most likely to see something interesting.

http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/11/10/1810213/Unknown-7m-Asteroid-Almost-Impacted-Earth

How big would a meteor need to be to decimate 50% of Earth's infrastructure?

>>5
Depends where it hits since infrastructure is not equally distributed across the surface of the earth. Also "decimate" and "infrastructure" are poorly defined.

We could be looking at a small meteor that sends dust into the atmosphere causing cooling and a reduction in crop yields and general havoc equal to a 50% reduction in the efficiency of our infrastructure or the actual destruction of the earth's surface regardless of other consequences.

>>5
Approximately big enough to destroy 5% of Earth's infrastructure.

when meteors impact into water containing basic elements; guess what is discovered.

Basic Amino Acids

:/

>>8
Why do you always use that ":/" emoticon?

http://www.iwantapal.com/

>>9
for the lulz. :/

>>11
lulz
Back to /b/, please.

>>12
those kids don't even know the phrase anymore. :/

>>13
Well, you can help re-introduce it to them by going back there.

>>14
after you. :/

>>15
No thanks. More fun for you.

>>16
Thanks for the invite. :/

>>17
No problem.

>>18
next time I'll bring the beer. :/

>>19
Sure thing.

>>20
No sweat.

>>21
Don't worry.

>>22
It's cool.

just put an ion engine on it and push it away

>>24
how about you deflect it with your body? In the zero-gravity of space, the mass of the meteorite and your body will be similar and you should be able to deflect it easily without much effort.

:/

>>25
By that logic, we could just launch a pebble at it and have nothing to worry about.

>>26
no...I didn't say a pebble, I said your body. Trust me, it'll work and you can be the savior of the entire human race! :3

>>27
you're wrong. even in the depths of space the meteorite/asteroid would have a much higher weight than you. regardless of where you are in the universe, you have some weight, and furthermore, if it were traveling fast enough to be a concern, you wouldn't be able to exert enough force to stop it.

>>28
weight is only measured because of gravity in relation to an external body...not the meteor itself. I believe you are referring to its mass, amirite?

Mass doesn't matter in space, just place your body right in front of it and use that corpulent abdomen of yours to deflect it. Trust me, it'll work. I mean, have you ever tried it yourself to be certain? Surely, your weight here on earth is a blessing cause it can deflect meteorites and asteroids. In the end, it's us who'll be grateful for your contribution.

>>29
trust me, doing this won't just give you courage, but you'll become an hero. :3

>>28
>>29

Momentum is key here.

The momentum of the asteroid would be considerably larger than that of the 'body'. Think of putting a cat infront of a freight train.

>>31
the asteroid or meteorite isn't on earth...earth's gravity or any other gravity is pretty much minuscule. Also, there is no wind resistance in space, and also no cats or freight trains.

We're talking about saving the human race here, folks! Float right up and place your rotund bodies in front of an asteroid or meteorite today and you too can become an hero for the human race to look up to.

Gain Courages / Become An Hero
If you act today, you also get a complimentary t-shirt that reads, "Wish you were here."

>>32
an hero
Back to /b/, please

>>33
Lead the way. :3