Engineers Working On Swarm Of Laser Wielding Satellites To Deflect Asteroids 114
Zothecula writes with news involving space and lasers. From the article: "A collision between Earth and an asteroid a few kilometers in diameter would release as much energy as the simultaneous detonation of several million nuclear bombs, and with the impact of an asteroid estimated at around 10 km (6.2 miles) in diameter believed to be responsible for wiping out the dinosaurs, numerous strategies have been devised to try and avoid such devastation. The latest idea comes from engineers at Glasgow's University of Strathclyde who suggest that a swarm of laser-wielding satellites could nudge Earth-bound asteroids off their collision course."
Re:So big asteroids become little asteroids (Score:5, Informative)
RTFA, although I know this isn't a popular idea.
The big asteroids become big asteroids moving in a different direction, and a puff of hot vapour where the laser has ablated a chunk of the surface.
Re:Cool (Score:4, Informative)
No, the two halves would go around the earth and rejoin on the other side just like something out of Scooby Doo, which based on the apparent comprehension level I'm guessing is the favorite cartoon of most of these AC's.
Note that the headline includes the word 'deflect' and the summary mentions nudging asteroids off of a collision course. Neither suggests that the asteroid would be split. To save time, it also does not mention 'death wielding laser of doom' (even though those would be awesome), sharks (although it does fit dinosaurs in), or anything about using these satellites to 'deflect' political opponents (but it does almost mention why that wouldn't work, traveling through the atmosphere).
Now please go back to aol or myspace, where your reading comprehension, grammar, and lack of identity will no doubt leave them in awe.