ABQ Times

The potential threat posed by asteroids to Earth has led researchers at Sandia National Laboratories to explore a nuclear-based deflection strategy. Physicist Nathan Moore is leading the research, which uses data from experiments conducted with the Z machine, the world's most powerful pulsed-power device.

Moore explains that although many perceive asteroid threats as unlikely, small asteroids hit Earth daily, known as shooting stars. "We don’t want to wait for a large asteroid to show up and then scramble for the right method to deflect it," he said.

His team at Sandia's Z machine conducts experiments simulating how synthetic asteroids react when subjected to sudden shocks. The goal is to develop detailed tables on asteroid reactions based on their composition, providing essential data for future asteroid threat responses.

Challenges exist due to the limited number of observable large asteroids near Earth. Moore emphasizes that "the day after, there would be no re-dos." A 2023 report by the National Academy of Sciences identified planetary defense as a national priority, highlighting an estimated 25,000 potentially destructive objects approaching Earth's vicinity.

To address these challenges, Moore's team devised a method using X-ray pulses from the Z machine. This technique momentarily removes friction and gravity effects on mock-asteroid materials in lab conditions. By doing so, they can model how nuclear explosions might alter an actual asteroid's path in space.

Moore elaborated on his process: “I started working through the logic of how I could deflect a miniature asteroid in a laboratory just like in outer space.” He further explained that releasing mock asteroids into vacuum free space was key to achieving accurate simulations.

In practical terms, this involves placing silica material into the Z machine’s target chamber and using "X-ray scissors" — vaporizing foil suspensions — to create free-floating conditions akin to those in space during an explosion impact.

Looking ahead, these experiments are initial steps toward building a comprehensive library of velocity changes induced by explosions. This resource will aid scientists analyzing real asteroids' compositions and trajectories when detected.

"It was a novel idea," Moore noted about suspending mock asteroids during tests. The challenge lies in redirecting an asteroid without breaking it into dangerous fragments heading towards Earth — an issue highlighted by NASA's recent DART experiment results.

Future efforts will need complex mathematics for loosely bound 'rubble pile' asteroids since practice missions are scarce and costly. NASA has only attempted one such mission with kinetic impact technology unsuitable for major threats facing our planet today.