Space · ScienceDaily
Asteroid shape could determine how well a nuclear blast deflects it
New research suggests that an asteroid’s uneven shape could strongly affect attempts to deflect it with a nuclear explosion. The effectiveness of an X-ray blast varied nearly fivefold depending on the angle.
Source published November 8, 2026 · BestExperimentIdeas discovery digest
The discovery at a glance
- An asteroid’s shape can strongly influence its response to an X-ray blast.
- The blast angle could make a major difference to deflection effectiveness.
A closer look
A nuclear explosion is a possible way to divert a threatening asteroid, but the research suggests that choosing which side to hit could be crucial to success.
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