Can We Use Nuclear Weapons to Stop a Comet Impact?

[GaiaShield]

Sooner-or-later, at random, the world will be faced with the threat of a large Comet impact. Our only recourse will be to Nuke it.

In order to know how large the thermonuclear device needs to be to either deflect or destroy it there are two questions:
- What is the expansion velocity of vaporized water ice in Space?
- Per Mt of yield (net) what volume/mass of water ice would be vaporized?

KISS please. I need to explain this to politicians...

 

[Orodruin]

Our only recourse will be to Nuke it.

Recent studies actually show that this is not an option. It will reassemble itself under its own gravity.

The paper is here. If you do not have access, you can read the press release.

 

[GaiaShield]

Recent studies actually show that this is not an option. It will reassemble itself under its own gravity.

The paper is here. If you do not have access, you can read the press release.

Orodruin,

Caught it when it was posted. That effect was to my point. If the expansion velocity is to low any fragments would not reach escape velocity of the target object and fall back to its center of gravity . Same could be said for vaporized mass although it would still generate thrust. Also this was a kinetic impact on an incredibly large asteroid with a very high escape velocity. Far to large for us puny humans to be expected to defend against... without antimatter devices.

 

[mathman]

Diverting the comet (or anything else) from its path appears to be a better solution.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Our only recourse will be to Nuke it.

Clearly to make a statement like that you must have considered all the issues. Why not use those thoughts as a basis for your discussion with politicians?

 

[berkeman]

Diverting the comet (or anything else) from its path appears to be a better solution.

And with that, this thread is closed.

EDIT/ADD -- This recent PF thread may also give you some helpful information:

https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...own-to-be-very-difficult.967411/#post-6142490