Sandia National Laboratories research reveals asteroid shape impacts nuclear deflection

New simulations led by Sandia National Laboratories physicist Nathan Moore indicate that the irregular shape of an asteroid significantly affects the effectiveness of a nuclear deflection attempt. The research, published in Icarus, explores how a nuclear burst could redirect a dangerous asteroid by using X-rays to heat the surface, causing material to vaporize and create a push that changes the body's motion.

According to the study, targeting different sides of an irregular asteroid can result in a nearly fivefold difference in deflection velocity. In one simulation, targeting one side produced a velocity change of 3.9 millimeters per second, while another side produced only 0.8 millimeters per second. Additionally, the impact on an asteroid's rotational speed varied by a factor of 17 depending on the angle of the blast.

To achieve these results, researchers developed a new modeling algorithm that is over 1,600 times faster than previous methods. This allows for the combination of high-fidelity mathematics with realistic, non-spherical asteroid shapes. While the model improves planetary defense planning, researchers noted it cannot yet reliably predict if an asteroid would break apart during such an event.