From the September 2007 issue

Could a nuclear explosion break apart an earthbound asteroid?

Bob Wilshusen, Blaine, Minnesota
By | Published: September 1, 2007 | Last updated on May 18, 2023

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Humanity possesses the capability to shatter or vaporize small asteroids using nuclear explosions.
  • The effectiveness of employing nuclear explosions for asteroid disruption is conditional.
  • Key determinants for this effectiveness include the asteroid's size, its internal structure, and the precise placement of the explosive device.
Yes, humankind has the capability to shatter, even vaporize, a small asteroid with a nuclear explosion. However, the effectiveness of blasting apart an asteroid depends on its size, internal structure, and where the bomb is placed.