Why Hollywood's nuclear asteroid defense strategy is actually complete rubbish
In short: In blockbuster movies, nuclear weapons save humanity by obliterating incoming asteroids. This video explores why that cinematic heroics is scientifically flawed and why timing is everything for planetary defense.
The video examines the kinetic energy involved in asteroid impacts. Rather than destroying the threat, exploding a nuclear device near an impactor often just redistributes that energy, spreading the debris over a wider area and incinerating everything in its path.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Why 'Nuking An Asteroid' Wouldn't Save The World (unless you did it years in advance)
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