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Title: Deflection and fragmentation of near-earth asteroids Authors: AHRENS, THOMAS J.; HARRIS, ALAN W. Affiliation: AA(California Inst. of Technology, Pasadena) AB(JPL, Pasadena, CA) Journal: Nature (ISSN 0028-0836), vol. 360, no. 6403, p. 429-433. Publication Date: 12/1992 Category: Lunar and Planetary Exploration Origin: STI NASA/STI Keywords: ASTEROIDS, COLLISION AVOIDANCE, COMET NUCLEI, EARTH ORBITAL ENVIRONMENTS, NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, DEFLECTION, FRAGMENTATION, NUCLEAR RADIATION Bibliographic Code: 1992Natur.360..429A

Abstract

The collision with earth of near-earth asteroids or comet nuclei poses a potential threat to mankind. Objects about 100 m in diameter could be diverted from an earth-crossing trajectory by the impact of a rocket-launched mass, but for larger bodies nuclear explosions seem to be the only practical means of deflection. Fragmentation of the body by nuclear charges is less efficient or secure.

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