It Came From the Web!

Nope, it’s not a remake of the classic video game or the next Sci-Fi SyFy TV movie.  The possibility of an astroid striking the Earth is a very real possibility.  Recently a large astroid passed with in 50,000 miles of Earth.  Given the vastness of space, that distance is almost too close for comfort.  The problem is three fold, space is a big place and its nearly impossibly for us to currently track every single object that might one day strike our planet.  Even when we do find a astroid that we believe has the possibility of hitting Earth pinpointing when and were also has proven challenging.  In the 2004 and astroid named Apophis was discovered and astronomers currently believe that it has the possibly of striking earth.  After adjusting their estimates several times, the current date for possible impact is in 2036.  This brings us to our second problem, once we start to track an object in space we often have limited data to go on.  This is mainly do to technology and the current locations and movements of these objects.

The final problem is what to do about the astroid once we determine that an impact will happen.  Right now scientists are discussing a handful of possible methods.

1. The most common of which is distraction by nuclear explosion.  We launch enough firepower at the astroid in hopes of vaporizing it.  However, it is often a question of will we have enough firepower and how can we ensure that it simply doesn’t break up the astroid and send multiple large fragments in our direction.
2. If a direct strike is ruled out, we can attempt to push or pull the astroid out of the way by several methods.  One of is to detonate a large explosive near the astroid to push it off course.  Other methods include landing a ship on the astroid and using its thrusters to attempt to alter its course.  Solar Sails have also been theorized.
3. The final method is simple, but could take time.  Gravity effect every object in space, scientists and astronomers are currently investigating the possibility of parking a satellite in orbit around the astroid and over time, altering its course.
4. The final method involves using several spacecraft  to focus beams of sunlight at the astroid in an attempt to break apart or destroy its icy body.

Unfortunately all of these methods especially the last two would take years to accomplish and this is after we locate a dangerous astroid.  NASA has currently requested an increase in funding for its Near Earth Objects program, which is currently attempting to find and monitor space objects 1km or larger.