Could Humans Deflect an Asteroid? Explained by Neil Degrasse Tyson

⭐️Blowing up asteroids might cause more harm than good due to the uncertainty of where the pieces would end up.

🚀Shooting chunks of rockets at an asteroid could potentially push it off course, but this method is not guaranteed to be effective.

🌍Asteroids are often not solid objects but rather piles of rubble. Pushing or bumping them might cause them to break apart.

💫Mining resources from asteroids could be a potential solution for both scientific exploration and economic benefits.

🌌Understanding and manipulating asteroids could provide us with the ability to redirect them and prevent potential impacts with Earth.

Why can't humans just shoot a chunk of random material at an asteroid?

—Blowing up an asteroid might result in multiple smaller pieces that could still pose a threat. Additionally, accurately hitting the asteroid with a projectile is challenging.

Why not use a giant sheet of metal to deflect the asteroid?

—The strength and composition of asteroids are often unknown. Also, a large sheet of metal might not efficiently redirect or break up the asteroid.

Can asteroids be pushed or bumped out of harm's way?

—Many asteroids are not solid but rather loose rubble held together by their own gravity. Pushing or bumping them might cause them to break apart or change direction unpredictably.

What are the potential benefits of mining asteroids?

—Asteroids are rich in rare elements and resources that could be used for scientific research and economic purposes. Mining asteroids could unlock new possibilities for space exploration and industry.

How can humans prevent asteroid impacts?

—Continued research, monitoring, and development of technologies are essential to detect and potentially mitigate future asteroid threats. This includes studying their composition, trajectories, and developing ways to redirect or destroy them if necessary.

01:36Blowing up asteroids might cause more harm than good due to the uncertainty of where the pieces would end up.

02:11Shooting chunks of rockets at an asteroid could potentially push it off course, but this method is not guaranteed to be effective.

03:36Asteroids are often not solid objects but rather piles of rubble. Pushing or bumping them might cause them to break apart.

04:40Mining resources from asteroids could be a potential solution for both scientific exploration and economic benefits.

06:25Understanding and manipulating asteroids could provide us with the ability to redirect them and prevent potential impacts with Earth.