Decoder Ring: A Feel-Good Story About the End of the World
Slow Burn
Deep Dive
What happened in Chelyabinsk on February 15, 2013?
A small asteroid, about 60 feet long, entered Earth's atmosphere and exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia. The explosion was equivalent to a non-radioactive nuclear weapon, shattering windows in six cities, injuring over 1,000 people, and causing widespread panic. The asteroid was undetected before impact.
What is a 'city killer' asteroid?
A 'city killer' asteroid is typically the size of a football stadium. If it hits a populated area, it could cause the worst disaster in human history, potentially killing hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of people instantly by eviscerating the city.
What is the probability of a city killer asteroid hitting Earth during a human lifetime?
There is a 1 in 200 chance of a city killer asteroid hitting somewhere on Earth during a 100-year human lifetime. While not extremely high, it is significant enough to warrant concern and preventive measures.
What was NASA's DART mission and what did it aim to achieve?
NASA's DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission aimed to test whether a spacecraft could deflect an asteroid by crashing into it. The target was Dimorphos, a small asteroid orbiting a larger one called Didymos. The mission successfully altered Dimorphos' orbit, proving the concept of planetary defense.
What are some proposed methods to deflect or destroy an asteroid?
Proposed methods include using nuclear weapons to blow up or deflect the asteroid, painting one side of the asteroid to reflect sunlight and nudge it off course, deploying metal roadblocks to break it into pieces, and ramming it with a spacecraft to alter its trajectory. The most effective and preferred method is the kinetic impactor approach, as demonstrated by NASA's DART mission.
What was the significance of the 1993 comet impact on Jupiter?
In 1993, a comet broke into 21 large pieces and crashed into Jupiter, leaving massive bruises the size of Earth. This event demonstrated the catastrophic potential of such impacts and heightened awareness of the need for planetary defense against asteroids and comets.
How did the 1998 movies 'Armageddon' and 'Deep Impact' influence public awareness of asteroid threats?
Both movies, though melodramatic, significantly raised public and political awareness about the dangers of asteroids. They depicted scenarios of global destruction caused by asteroid impacts, leading to increased interest and funding for planetary defense initiatives.
What is the Planetary Defense Coordination Office and what is its role?
The Planetary Defense Coordination Office, established by NASA in 2016, is responsible for detecting and tracking near-Earth objects (NEOs) and developing strategies to mitigate potential asteroid impacts. It coordinates efforts to protect Earth from catastrophic asteroid collisions.
What was the cost of NASA's DART mission and how does it compare to other space missions?
The DART mission cost $314 million, which is relatively low compared to other NASA missions. Despite the modest budget, it successfully demonstrated the feasibility of deflecting an asteroid, marking a significant milestone in planetary defense.
What are the future plans for planetary defense after the success of the DART mission?
NASA plans to launch a giant camera into space to detect all potential city killer asteroids. By the 2040s, they aim to have a century-long forecast of Earth's safety from asteroid impacts. China is also expected to conduct its own asteroid deflection tests in the coming years.
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