Nuclear bombs could save earth from asteroids

Ive always wondered what would even happen if we detonated a nuke in space.

Ive always wondered what would even happen if we detonated a nuke in space. Operation Fishbowl

I think the better word to use is MAY not COULD . sending nuke to space is a very risky option. the NUKE may explode before reach space.

I think the better word to use is MAY not COULD . sending nuke to space is a very risky option. the NUKE may explode before reach space. Now that wouldn't be too good.

It takes a very precise sequence of events to persuade a Hydrogen bomb to explode. It seems highly unlikely that one would explode 'accidently' during a launch. I must say, I find this notion of 'nuking an asteroid' highly fanciful. It would take a LOT of bombs to change the trajectory of the asteroid, and these bombs would have to detonate in a very precise sequence/location to accomplish much, and at a very long range. (the idea of DISINTEGRATING an asteroid seems even more far-fetched). I'm not sure that our rocket technology would be up to the job of delivering the bombs in such a precise ... [More]

I certainly hope a nuke is the very last option to divert a meteor or comet. Besides, haven't we learned anything from the Bart's comet in the Simpsons?

I hear a lot of people say that if doing this didn't go to plan, we'd just end up being bombarded by smaller Radioatctive fragments, which I guess could be worse than the initial rock itsself.

"Nuclear bombs could save earth from asteroids", or doom the earth from millions of smaller ones...

I hear a lot of people say that if doing this didn't go to plan, we'd just end up being bombarded by smaller Radioatctive fragments, which I guess could be worse than the initial rock itsself. [/quote). I agree, bombarded by millions of smaller radioactive fragments sounds worse than the initial rock itself. But, if the initial rock itself are big enough to potensially destroy the whole Earth, meaning destroy life as we know it, that means an asteroid with a diameter of one kilometer or so, maybe being hit with a shower of smaller rocks would be the lesser evil. Let me explain: A reason why a ... [More]