Astronomer suggests a cheap way to protect Earth from killer impacts by turning asteroids into 'interplanetary disco balls' and allowing reflected light to change their orbit.
Asteroids represent an existential threat to humankind. A collision with a 10 kilometer-sized asteroid led to the demise of the dinosaurs some 65 million years ago. Astronomers expect other collisions with asteroids about 1 kilometer across every 500,000 years or so.
Now Jonathan Katz at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri, says there is a simpler and more efficient way to redirect asteroids—by painting them with a metallic coating. The idea is that the coating changes the amount of sunlight the asteroid reflects, its albedo, creating a thrust that redirects it. “Changing an asteroid’s albedo changes the force of Solar radiation on it, and hence its orbit,” he says.This thrust would be tiny.
He points out that asteroids are generally dark. So coating one with lithium or sodium metal would dramatically increase its reflectivity, turning it into an interplanetary disco ball. He calculates that about 1 kilogram of metal could coat an entire asteroid with a micrometer-thick layer that would turn the asteroid silver.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
'Cunk on Earth' Casts Diane Morgan in Charlie Brooker's Mockumentary About Human CivilizationNetflix is teaming up again with 'Black Mirror' creator Charlie Brooker to deliver a mockumentary about human civilization. 'Cunk on Earth' stars Diane Morgan as her beloved persona, Philomena Cunk.
Consulte Mais informação »
Big hunk of failed Russian rocket crashes to Earth as space junkThe Persei upper stage's brief stay in orbit is over.
Consulte Mais informação »
Biological Activity on Earth Really Is Affected by The Gravity of The Sun And MoonThose two orbs we see in the sky during the day and night have even more of an influence on the animals and plants on Earth than you might think.
Consulte Mais informação »
What on Earth Is Happening With Novak Djokovic?Novak Djokovic has been deported following a 12-hour visa-related standoff in Melbourne. 5 days into the new year, the world No. 1 has already put himself at the center of one of the strangest stories in sports. chrisjalmeida & jon_wertheim discuss:
Consulte Mais informação »
Why on Earth Were There Unapproved COVID Testing Sites in Philly?If you're less than scrupulous, the omicron wave has created some opportunity.
Consulte Mais informação »
Asteroid larger than Empire State Building to zoom by Earth this monthAn asteroid that's roughly two-and-a-half times the size of the Empire State Building is due to zoom by Earth.
Consulte Mais informação »