An asteroid's shape influences where a nuclear blast must be aimed to deflect it

If a dangerous asteroid were headed toward Earth, one defense could be a nuclear detonation to blast one side with X-rays and nudge it off course. But new simulations suggest that for a lumpy, irregular asteroid, exactly where those X-rays hit could make a huge difference.

Coverage · 3 write-ups · 3 outlets

• Phys.org PressNov 3, 2026, 4:20 PM UTC · phys.org
• The Brighter Side of News PressNov 4, 2026, 9:07 PM UTC · via Google NewsCould a nuclear blast deflect an asteroid? The answer depends on the asteroid
• The Debrief Genre pressRead hereNov 4, 2026, 12:53 PM UTC · thedebrief.org"It Could be a Bad Day": Scientists Build New Tool for Deflecting a Dangerous Asteroid with a Nuclear Blast