Created by SSgt Chris "Apocalypse" Ricker

KILLER ASTEROID HEADED TOWARDS EARTH!

Haha, just kidding..or am I?  65 million years ago this was not a joke.  A killer asteroid collieded with our planet, bringning extinction to the dinosaurs, and my other or Earth's creatures.  However, tonight sleep peacefully knowing an asteroid capable of unleashing global Armageddon will not suddenly "drop in" and say "hi".  However, tomorrow is a new day.  Luckily for the human race scientists and astrologers from around the world are constantly combing the heavens for any of these death dealing rocks.  But, hypothetically speaking, lets say one of these lonesome rocks decides it no longer would like to travel the galaxy, and decides to make planet Earth its new home.  Should this happen, what choices does the human race have to "persude" this comet to "hit the road" and find another home?

OH NO! WHAT WILL WE DO?

Sadly, scientists and engineers have yet to develop a "sure fire" technology to protect our planet against asteroids and other large inbound space objects.  However, unlike dinosaurs, humans are quite creative, conjuring some realtively ingenious methods to deflect a murderious asteroid. Below, are just a few ideas that will one day hopefully protect Earth from certain doom.

MOVE IT!

LOSE IT!

OR

By using strategically placed thrusters, scientists could gradually alter or move the asteroid away from Earth.  However, in order for this technique to work, ample time would be needed (months, maybe years), depending on the size of the object and when it was discovered.

Should all else fail, blow it up!  By using an extremely large nuclear weapon, or even a cache of nuclear weapons, scientists believe one could "blow up" the asteroid before it reaches Earth.  However, although this technique sounds easy (and cool), it does have a drawback.  By blowing up one large impacting object, multiple smaller impacting objects are then created.

ARMAGEDDON!

Technically speaking, planet Earth does not have a "proven" asteroid defense system, just theroies.  So, in the unfortunate event a large asteroid did strike our planet, what could we expect?  First, unlike meteorites, our atmosphere would do little to slow an asteroid; meaning it would strike water or land (not that it matters) at speed of rougly 20 miles a second!  Second, the impact would be so great, it would not only leave no trace of the asteroid, but release more energy then Russia's biggest nuclear bomb.  For those who are in the  immediate blast area, they would be quickly incinerated from the blast--they are the lucky ones.  Those who are "unfortunetly"  outside the blast area, possibly countries, or even continents over, would notice drastic increase in temperature, almost as if the Earth was an oven.  This would be due to the rock and dust thrown into the atmosphere.  The sun would eventually become a distant memory due to the amount of dust that accumlated in the atmosphere.   The only light would be from the raging forest fires caused by the oven like temperature.  Months, even years, may go by before the sun would once again shine on the oceans and continents of planet Earth.  And, when one again sun light should shine upon Earth's crust, it would reveal a baren waste land.  Humans and the majority of Life on the planet would be nearly extinct.  The only human survivors would be those who were lucky enough to escape the blast, and resourceful enough to withstand the many years of dark and famine.

Don't Believe Me?  Want to Know more?  Check Out What These Guys Have to Say..

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What do you think?