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Scientists simulate how asteroid might respond to nuclear device detonation - Interesting Engineering

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To test the approach, they compared more than 1,500 one-dimensional Spheral simulations with asteroid deflection results. (Representational image)MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARYResearchers in the United States are developing three-dimensional simulations to examine how a nuclear device could be used to deflect or potentially disrupt an asteroid threatening Earth. The team from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) uses Spheral simulation code to more accurately model how an asteroid might respond when X-rays from a nuclear device detonated near its surface rapidly heat and vaporize material. After validating the approach against established asteroid-deflection models, researchers used Spheral to study three complex disruption scenarios.

Hazardous asteroid impact could potentially be prevented

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