According to scientists, what is our best option if an asteroid 10 km in diameter was detected and closing in on an impact with Earth?
A.
Blow it up in space before it enters our atmosphere
B.
Divert it so that it doesn't collide with Earth
C.
Blow it up in our atmosphere to break it up
D.
Send the space shuttle up to tow it into deep space
E.
The asteroid would only impact a limited region on Earth, so simply evacuate areas that might be impacted
1 answer
If we were capable, B. Blowing it up (either way) would very likely lead to multiple smaller asteroids colliding with earth. Impacting would send a cloud of debris that could effect the life on the whole earth. The space shuttle might be able to divert it, but it is unlikely to be able to tow it into deep space (which is probably unnecessary).